Teacher Externship 2021
Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas Connects Education and Business through Teacher Externship Program
In June 2021, Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas partnered with 19 local businesses and 11 independent school districts to link classrooms with the workplace and help shape tomorrow’s workforce for industry needs.
“The Teacher Externship program was developed based on feedback from area employers that there was a disconnect between workplace expectations and the qualifications of students entering the workforce,” said Mark Durand, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas. “It is more important than ever to address the skills gap identified by employers in manufacturing, health care, automotive, utilities and IT industries across the 12-county region.”
Nineteen career and technical education teachers were matched with businesses across the region for a week of learning, observing and job-shadowing. The teachers gained industry strategies for the classroom to help them inform, educate, guide and connect students to high demand occupations that match their skill sets.
Among the immediate positive outcomes from the experiences were: skill-specific lessons for the classroom, job opportunities for graduating students, new clinical experience opportunities for nursing students, and plans for student tours during the upcoming school year. Teachers also heard employers talk about the need for soft skills such as communication, empathy, attendance, professional behavior, listening, making eye contact, and problem-solving.
“By all accounts, the program was a resounding success. The participating teachers have a better understanding of the high demand occupations and the types of technical skills needed for success in the Deep East Texas economy. The employers and local schools have opened doors to continued collaborations,” said Mr. Durand. “On behalf of the local workforce development board, I want to express our appreciation to the employers who spent considerable time and resources to plan meaningful experiences for the teachers. We are equally grateful to the teachers who embraced the learning opportunity and devoted a week of their summer to the program.”
Participating Business Partners: Angelina College, Angelina Forest Products, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative, East Texas Community Health Services, Hancock Advertising Agency, Lakes Area Veterinarian Hospital, Legacy Institute, Little Beaver, LivCom, Loving Toyota, NIBCO, Nucor Vulcraft, Provalus, Southeast Texas Industries Group, St. Luke’s Health Memorial Hospital, Tipton Ford, Turner Manufacturing, Weaver Brothers Motor Co., and Woodland Heights Medical Center
Participating School Districts and Teachers: Brookeland ISD - Randy Bridges; Central ISD - Amber Parrott; Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD - Robert Mills; Corrigan-Camden ISD - Amber Perez, Rayford Sweats; Diboll ISD - Bruce Barrera; Hudson ISD - Cody Berry, Dana Rosario, Meredith Stanford; Jasper ISD - Allen Hadnot, Luke Ney, Kelli Bailey; Latexo ISD - Larry Langford; Nacogdoches ISD - Coy Van Valkenburgh, Stanley Warren; Newton ISD - Sarah Trammell, Daniel Odom; and Zavalla ISD - Jaclyn Fant, Laura Wise
Read the News story from The Daily Sentinel
Read the News story from Lufkin Daily News
Watch the News Coverage from KTRE.com
TOPICS: Partnerships, Youth Career Explorations
