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 2026).

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

• South Central Service Cooperative 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 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

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.