Teacher Externship Program

Teacher Externship Logo Drafts 02

Teacher externships are a professional development opportunity that connects educators with industry professionals for a hands-on learning experience that transfers to student learning.

Through the Rutherford Works Teacher Externship Program, teachers can immerse themselves within local businesses to gain a deeper understanding of available career opportunities and associated skill sets required for students to succeed.

After the externship experience, teachers possess the reference points and tools to make classroom activities and discussions more relevant to students. Teachers find they are better equipped to provide lessons that improve student connections with the outside world and better prepare students for future careers.

Application Opens: February 17, 2020

Program Interest Meeting: February 24, 2020

Application Deadline: March 6, 2020

Program Run Date: June 8 - June 19, 2020

2020 Program Details:

Purpose

The Rutherford Works Teacher Externship Program is meant to help middle school teachers better understand the needs of employers in the five high demand, high wage industry sectors in Rutherford County, which are Advanced Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Health Care, Information Technology and Construction.

Externships will be placed in STEM related fields with the hope that administrators, teachers, and counselors can speak from experience as they advise students on educational and career goals.

This program is open to Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City middle school teachers.

Eligibility

Schools may have multiple teams apply. Teams may consist of 3-5 educators based on the parameters set by each employer.

Rutherford County School teams should represent a cross-section of academic and CTE disciplines and be considered a “student influencers” by peers and students alike. Teams may be made up of teachers (subject area, STEM, CTE, special ed, etc.), counselors and librarians and MUST include an assistant principal.

Murfreesboro City School teams may have the same structure described above from one school and/or may be made up of 6th grade educators from multiple schools AND one assistant principal.

Team members must:
• must be able to commit to 2 (40 hour) weeks of work during June 8-19, 2020
• must have reliable transportation to and from the training and job site. Please note, some employers may require travel outside of Rutherford County.

Schedule

The externship program will run from June 8 – June 19, 2020.

During their scheduled weeks, educator teams will work 32 hours Monday through Thursday (schedule to be decided by teams and employer), and attend an 8- hour work-based learning session on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Prior to work beginning, externs are required to attend 8 hours of pre-employment training/advising training on June 8.

Externs will be paid at a rate of $20.00 per hour for all training, work-based learning classes and time on the job.

All training and work-based learning classes will be held at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce unless otherwise noted.

PRIOR TO PROGRAM:
Extern teams will meet with Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce prior to employer placement to discuss logistics, agreements, and answer any questions. This meeting will be announced via email.

Goals

The goal of this teacher externship program is to benefit students by improving awareness of STEM related career options and increasing the number of students exposed to both the soft and technical skills needed to fill the growing number of jobs in the high five sectors within Rutherford County.

Externship Program Goals:
1. Teachers will design and implement a lesson plan that embeds industry concepts into curriculum throughout the school year.

2. Externs will gain an understanding of the employability skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace, including:

a. Application of academic and technical knowledge and skills
b. Career knowledge and navigation skills
c. 21st Century learning and innovation skills
d. Personal and social skills

3. Teachers, counselors and administrators will advise students in a meaningful way using acquired knowledge. Participants will see the application of skills in careers and will understand different definitions of success.

4.Extern teams will design and implement a school-based industry engagement action plan, which should enhance education and industry collaborations and increase partnerships to the maximum benefit of students in the participating district.

Employer Benefits

1. Grow brand awareness with externs, their students, and their parents.
2. Increase awareness of industry-specific career opportunities.
3. Inform educators about their expectations of employees in various positions and offer input to the curriculum, thereby contributing to the preparation of their future workforce.
4. Identify and cultivate future talent by acting as a guest speaker, mentor, field trip host, or job shadow host.
5. Training and development opportunity for managers and mentors.