The Teacher Externship Program brings 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, counselors, and administrators work side-by-side with an industry peer during a 3- to 5-day paid summer externship at a participating south central Minnesota business.

Overview

What is an externship?

• A paid opportunity to bring classroom curricula to life using an industry lens by participating in a 3-5 day learning experience. 
• Rate of $250 per day. Multiple sites allowed. 

Who is eligible to apply?

• 7-12^th grade educators, counselors, and administrators are eligible and encouraged to apply (application opens spring 2025).

How does an educator, counselor, or administrator get placed?

• South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) will work to place participants in an interested business closest to their home. Final placement is largely driven by which businesses are willing to engage as a partner in the teacher externship process. Resource Training & Solutions (RTS) will provide training and support throughout the experience. 

Where can I find more information?

• Externship Process
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Externship Schedules
• RTS Teacher Externships Webpage

Interest Intent

• Interest Information Form
• First round review will be completed by March 15, 2025 

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.

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.

South Central Service Cooperative supports these experiences through the Future Ready CTE Grant. Please contact Kim Mueller if you are interested in participating.