HCPSS Teacher Externship Initiative
The Howard County Public School System is currently in the development phase of the HCPSS Teacher Externship Initiative and is seeking businesses and organizations wishing to be involved.
“Today’s business environment is rapidly changing. Continuing advances in technology is forcing workers to be able to think critically and adapt quickly. As such, it is important for educators to witness firsthand what is taking place in industry so they can share these experiences in the classroom. It is important for employers to partner with educators so our students are prepared for challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”Leonardo McClarty
President/CEO (2014-2023)
Howard County Chamber of Commerce
What is the Teacher Externship Initiative?
The HCPSS Teacher Externship Initiative is a program that will offer a unique professional development opportunity connecting the classroom to the workplace. HCPSS teachers will spend time in a workplace learning about trends, skill requirements and opportunities in industries related to their subject to enrich and strengthen their teaching and bring relevance to student learning.
What is the HCPSS Timeline for the Externship Initiative?
On or before January, businesses must commit to hosting and/or sponsoring a teacher extern.
January: Teachers submit resumes for consideration
February: Host sites interview potential extern candidates
March: Extern and host sites match and sign externship contracts
June-August: Teachers complete externship experience
Information for Businesses and Organizations
Benefits to Businesses and Organizations
Teacher externships offer a unique professional development opportunity connecting the classroom to the workplace. HCPSS teachers will spend time in a workplace learning about trends, skill requirements and opportunities in industries related to their subject to enrich and strengthen their teaching and bring relevance to student learning. There are a number of benefits for a business or organization to get involved with the Teacher Externship Initiative, including but not limited to:
- Your business or organization can contribute to the development of the 21st century workforce.
- The Externship Initiative supports the professional growth of Howard County Public School System teachers by providing workplace experience to complement academic knowledge.
- The program exposes teachers to current industry best practices in order to inform planning for future curriculum and instruction.
- Teacher externs will bring new perspectives and contribute to the productivity of the businesses and organizations in which they serve.
“It is important to us as an organization to grow our understanding of the future workforce, and to contribute to making sure students will be able to be successful in meeting workforce needs. By hosting a teacher extern, we are able to gain a better understanding of students that will be coming out of school and how to engage them.”Anthony Nave
Booz Allen Hamilton, Extern Host 2022
What Businesses and Organizations Can Get Involved
HCPSS is currently seeking organizations in these industries:
How to Get Involved
HCPSS is looking for businesses and organizations to host teacher externs for 150 hours over 4–6 weeks during the summer months and/or to financially support the initiative by providing a full or partial teacher externship stipend for our externs. If you are interested in being involved in either or both of these capacities, please email Bright Minds Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Van Kirk at jennifer@brightmindsfoundation.org. Non-profit donation eligibility may apply.
Bright Minds Foundation is the fiscal partner for the HCPSS Teacher Externship Initiative. Businesses and organizations have the opportunity to sponsor externships via a donation to Bright Minds, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations cover educator stipends and program management costs.