Teacher Externships are professional development opportunities that connect the classroom to the workplace. Educators spend time learning or working in industries outside of the traditional classroom setting to gain insights into the needs and expectations of certain occupations and careers. These experiences allow educators to engage in activities in business and industry to learn how classroom content and learning strategies are applied in the workplace. Furthermore, externships enable teachers to increase their ability to connect theory and practice and enhance their understanding of the skill requirements needed for students to be marketable and productive upon workforce entry.
Externships range from multi-day job shadowing experiences to longer externships that can be project-based and last as long as a full summer. Appropriately structured, teacher externships offer a professional development experience that is often transformative for educators and their students;
“It energizes faculty. It changes the classroom dynamic when faculty become more like students and see what kind of world their students are entering. It raises the stakes of what’s being taught and can make teachers more empathetic to their students.” (June Lee-Bayha, WestEd)i.
Research shows that teachers who participated in an industry-based externship program gained a deeper understanding of the critical skills (durable skills) needed in today's workplace and influenced their classroom practices in the following waysii:
- Value of Problem-Solving:
- Teachers recognized the importance of problem-solving skills in both industry and classroom settings. They increased their focus on developing these skills in their students.
- Importance of Collaboration:
- The externship experience underscored the significant role of collaboration in the workplace.
- Teachers realized the necessity of these skills for success and committed to fostering collaboration among their students through classroom activities.
- Importance of Communication:
- Communication was identified as a pivotal competency at externship sites. This realization motivated teachers to enhance opportunities for students to practice communication skills in the classroom.
- Using Real-World Connections:
- Teachers increased their use of real-world connections to demonstrate the practical applications of course content, helping students see the relevance of their studies in authentic employment and career contexts.
- Casting Students as Employees:
- Teachers began to view and treat students as employees, preparing them for future workplace environments by incorporating realistic job roles and expectations into their classroom activities.
Additionally, externships benefit teachers and students in several ways, especially in the context of aligned and coherent career pathways and Career and Technical Educationiii:
- Relevance to Curriculum:
- Teachers integrated up-to-date industry knowledge and practical experiences into their teaching, ensuring that classroom instruction remained relevant and aligned with current industry standards and practices.
- Career Awareness:
- Externships expose teachers to various career paths and industries, enabling them to better guide students in making informed decisions about their future careers.
- Professional Growth:
- Teachers developed new skills, expanded their professional networks, and stayed informed about emerging trends, enhancing their effectiveness and instructional quality.
- Partnerships with Industry:
- Educators built connections with local businesses and professionals, leading to collaborative initiatives like guest lectures, student internships, and curriculum development projects that bridge the gap between education and industry.
- Student Engagement:
- Bringing real-world experiences into the classroom increased student engagement and motivation, showing the relevance of their learning, and inspiring them to pursue further education and careers in their areas of interest.
Resources Required
Establishing partnerships with local businesses and other employer related organizations such as local chambers of commerce is crucial. Funding is also essential to provide stipends for teachers, cover travel expenses, and support program administration, as are professional development opportunities to prepare teachers before and debrief them after their externships. Schools might also need to offer curriculum development support and necessary materials to integrate new industry insights into classroom teaching. Scheduling flexibility, if offered during the school year, ensures that teachers can participate without disrupting their regular duties. Additionally, effective evaluation and assessment systems help collect feedback and drive continuous improvement for teacher externships.
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