Teacher Externship 2023 - Connecting Education and Industry to Prepare Tomorrow's Workforce
Teacher Externship reveals the skills necessary for success in high-demand industries across Deep East Texas.
The third annual Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas Teacher Externship was held June 12-16, 2023, to highlight the skills necessary for success in high-demand industries across Deep East Texas. Twenty-four businesses and 24 teachers from 16 Independent School Districts collaborated to better prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. The focus was on high-demand occupations in Deep East Texas industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, professional and technical services, and construction.
“Currently there is a shortage of qualified workers, and a skills gap has been identified by our region’s employers,” said Mark Durand, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas. “The Teacher Externship was developed based on employer feedback to better prepare students for workforce success.”
The 24 middle and high school teachers were matched with 24 businesses 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. Upon completion, the teachers receive $1,000 stipends. The project is funded 100% through a $69,940 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Based on their learnings, the teachers will be providing specific classroom instruction this fall relating to work readiness and employability skills, such as communication, attendance, a positive attitude, critical thinking, active listening, teamwork, adaptability and desire to learn. The teachers are planning to partner with their respective employer on next steps including: internship and job opportunities, job shadowing, mock interviews, employer presentations in the classrooms, and facility tours during the upcoming school year.
“As a result, the teachers have a better understanding of the high-demand industries and the types of technical and soft skills needed for success in the Deep East Texas economy. The employers and local schools have strengthened their relationships,” 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
- Burns Forestry
- Champion Oaks Ranch
- CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Jasper Memorial Hospital
- City of Jasper
- City of Nacogdoches
- Crockett Veterinary Hospital
- First Financial Bank
- Georgia Pacific - Corrigan
- Health Center of Southeast Texas
- Jasper County District Courts and Clerk's Office
- Jasper County Sheriff's Office
- Lakes Area Veterinary Hospital
- Legacies Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Lemon Seed Marketing
- MRC PineCrest Retirement
- MSGPR
- Polk County Sheriff's Office
- Real Graphics
- Sabine County Hospital
- St. Luke's Health Memorial
- St. Luke's Health Memorial Livingston
- STI Group
- Texas Department of Transportation
- West Fraser Angelina
Participating School Districts and Teachers
- Central ISD – Vennessa Childerss
- Coldspring-Oakhurst – Mary Trimmer
- Crockett ISD – Cassie Morrison, Ashley Warren
- Deweyville ISD – Leslie Holt
- Diboll ISD – Gary Allen, Kimberly Brown
- Goodrich ISD – Eugenia Whittenburg
- Hudson ISD – Meredith Young
- Huntington ISD – Michael Lantz
- Jasper ISD – Mary Franklin, Carol McFarland
- Latexo ISD – Tessa Easley
- Livingston ISD – Ashlee Krebs, Meagan Myers, Eric Young
- Nacogdoches ISD – Nick Shelton
- Newton ISD – Carlton Gentry, Andy Kibodeaux, Daniel Odom, Sarah Trammell
- Shepherd ISD – Calah Bebee
- West Sabine ISD – Sherry Spring
- Woodville ISD – Duane French
Thanks to Brookshire Brothers, Lufkin Coca-Cola Bottling Co, and Morgan & Bartlett Baggett & Shands Insurance Agency for their donations and support.
TOPICS: Partnerships, Youth Career Explorations
