Teachers gain real-world experience through industry externships
Students are more willing to learn something if they understand how it relates to the real world. Last week, a group of HISD teachers entered the business world to gain hands-on experience that they can use in the classroom to help students connect industry standards with classroom curriculum.
Twenty-two HISD teachers from nine high schools participated in the third annual Teacher Externship Week, a program sponsored by Linked Learning that promotes job-based education. The teachers spent four days working at five organizations—Gap, Memorial Herman Health System, MIAT (Michigan Institute of Aviation) College of Technology, Port of Houston, and HISD’s Technology Department. [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lakhCgTBS6A”]
The externships will help teachers develop industry-focused, project-based curriculum that provides students with industry exposure and applied learning. Teams of teachers spent four days (July 11-14) working with the companies, learning about the industry and assisting with day-to-day activities. On Friday, July 15, the week culminated in a team working and planning day that included a celebratory lunch.
James Bretney and Patrice Tiller from Sterling High School worked with MIAT since their school, Sterling, has an aviation pathway for students. They learned what students must do to become a fully certified Federal Aviation Administration mechanics, as well as how to become qualified in related professions.
Aaliyah Floyd from Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center and his team worked with the HISD Instructional Technology Department, observing the service desk in action, touring the Network Operations Center, and working with student summer interns.
“We decided to develop a project that will require students to collaborate with team members in order to distribute responsibilities and create a sense of autonomy,” said Floyd. “They will have to problem-solve, collaborate, and manage their time in order to complete the project.”
Linked Learning is funded in part through a nearly $30 million federal Race to the Top grant.
