Teachers to train outside classrooms

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Teachers to train outside classrooms

Schools partner with businesses to create unique summer learning opportunity

by Margarita Raycheva | Staff Writer

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Internships are not only for students. Starting this year, teachers in Frederick County will also be able to complete internships with local businesses. For a few weeks each summer, teachers will complete paid ‘‘externships” working with local banks, research facilities or insurance agencies. The initiative will give educators an opportunity to work in a non-academic environment and learn how their lessons apply outside the classroom.

Teachers will work in a field related to their subject of study. Business or math teachers, for instance, may get a placement at a bank or insurance company.

‘‘We will try to do some matching up, depending on the expectations of the teachers and the businesses,” said David Markoe, executive director of the Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education, which coordinates the externship program.

The program is part of a local workforce development initiative. It aims to connect Frederick County Public Schools with businesses to work together in building the county’s future workforce.

The externship program is still in planning stages, but organizers hope to start a pilot program this summer with three positions for teachers at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick. The four-week externships will pay $7,500 and will be geared toward Advanced Placement biology teachers. Ideally, the externships should start right after July 4, Markoe said.

The program will continue to build from there, as soon as it receives an expected $100,000 Workforce Development grant, allowing for another 13 externships with large companies and agencies – from Bechtel and State Farm Insurance to Fort Detrick.

‘‘We are hoping to include all levels of the business community,” Markoe said.

Eventually the program should open opportunities for teachers of all levels – from Frederick Community College professors to middle school and even elementary school teachers, Markoe said.

The program will also pair up teachers with mentors from the business community. Mentors will stay in touch with teachers throughout the year and update educators on the latest developments in their industry –new jobs, technology or trends. The mentors may also teach classes.

The externship program is just one of many initiatives coming out of the Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education – a new partnership between Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College, The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Economic Development and Fort Detrick. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between the business and education communities, allow businesses to reach students and essentially create a climate for building a 21st century workforce.

That is essential for Frederick County, where there has been a need to promote work opportunities and educate students about the job possibilities, said Lori Bower, director of the Frederick County Economic Development.