Teacher Externship Program
Background
Minnesota employers are increasingly calling for skilled workers. During 2021, private sector jobs increased by 5.3%, while public sector jobs rose by 2.7%. In July and August, manufacturers added nearly 6,000 jobs alone - the highest growth in 30 years! Many are struggling to find talent.
Central Minnesota business partners have also identified “soft skills” - non-technical skills such as communications, attendance, work ethic, math and computer/technology skills as essential qualities needing support systems. It is imperative that our education system partner with area businesses to create relevant connections between classroom content and students’ future career interests.
Submit Your Teacher Externship Application >>
Project Description
The purpose of the Teacher Externship Program is to bring career-based classroom curricula to life, while building a bridge between skill-based and knowledge-based education. Through this unique professional development opportunity, middle and high school teachers from the Resource Training & Solutions region will be selected to work side-by-side with an industry peer during a 3 to 5 day paid summer externship at a participating central Minnesota business.
"I really enjoyed my time at UMC. This experience was instrumental in me being able to create a meaningful and more applicable unit for my Engineering 2 class. " - 2023 Teacher Extern Corey
Benefits to Teachers
- Gain first-hand knowledge of how classroom content and learning strategies are applied in the workplace.
- Receive professional development support to create lesson plans linking externship learning to student academic and career planning.
- Enhance classroom curriculum with real-world career connections.
- Earn optional graduate credits through College of St. Scholastica.
Benefits to Employers
- Create lasting partnerships with local teachers.
- Ensure workforce needs are understood.
- Increase exposure, through personal connections to classroom teachers, to the future workforce.
- Increase opportunities for additional career-based activities such as student job shadowing, plant tours, and career speakers.
- Directly contribute to sustaining a more highly-skilled workforce.
How to Apply
As the main component of the Resource Training & Solutions Teacher Externship Program, middle or high school teachers employed by a Resource Training & Solutions’ full member district, will be selected to work side-by-side with industry peers during a 3-5 day paid summer externship experience at participating central Minnesota businesses (based on externship program availability).
Submit Your Teacher Externship Application >>
Timeline
May 1st, 2024- Teacher Externship Application is due
June 7th, 2024 - Teacher Externship Introductory Webinar - Calendar Invite
FAQs
Time Allotted
- 3-5 days on site, up to 2 of curriculum writing
- Self determined days June 15 - July 30
Educators
- 7-12th grade educators, counselors, admin
- Submit a resume, Certificate of Insurance, goal sheet
- From a Resource Training & Solutions Member district
Worksite
- Prepare varied experiences for educators
- Provide a “mentor” for educator to connect and learn from
- Align experience to educator goals
- Provide information: dress code, PPE, parking, lunch...etc
Submitted Work
- Educators submit hours, curriculum, feedback
- If seeking college credit from College of St. Scholastica, one additional reflection
- After everything is submitted, we compensate based on days served
- Employers submit feedback to Resource
Summer 2023 Externships:
- 8 teachers this summer: CentraCare, Spire, Wright Co. Public Health, Zero Zone, UMC, Envision Construction
- Goal: exposed educators to modern workplace, build career focused lesson plans, build industry connections
- Externs this summer: Monticello (3), Princeton (1), Rogers (1), SRR (1), Cambridge-Isanti (1), Elk River (1)