TEACHER
EXTERNSHIP ABSTRACT
“Teacher Externship – The final Frontier”
by Sandy Mittelsteadt prepares an educator to job –
shadow in the “real world” in order to make
academic learning more relevant in the classroom. Using
a Star Trek theme, this packet defines a teacher externship
and states the expectations of both educators and industry
partners. Ideas for contacting companies, along with a checklist,
are given. Sample job-shadowing questions and observation
forms are included to enrich the actual job-shadowing experience,
while a reflection exercise ensures that the job-shadowing
experience is a true learning activity for the teacher.
The packet includes a lesson plan format that the teacher
fills out, so that the “Teacher Externship”
enhances students' learning.
Teacher Internship Application
Job Shadowing is an opportunity for you to learn how business/industry
utilize the skills taught in the classroom. The information
requested will help to develop a job shadow experience that
is best suited to your interests.
Last Name |
First Name |
| Home Address |
|
| City |
Zip Code |
| Home Phone Number |
E-mail |
| School |
|
| School Address |
|
| City |
Zip Code |
| Phone Number |
|
| Fax Number |
E-mail |
| Years Taught |
Grades Taught |
| Specialty Area(s) |
|
| Emergency Contact |
|
| Emergency Phone Number |
|
1. What careers or jobs seem interesting to you? List four.
2. Please indicate any special skills or interests (accounting,
computers, math, etc.)
3. Please describe what you expect from your business/industry
internship?
4. Please indicate the kind of skill areas you would like
to observe during your internship.
5. How will the job shadowing experience enhance your classroom
curriculum?
6. What will be your time availability? Identify months, weeks,
times, etc.
Please return competed survey to:
LOCATING A COMPANY TO JOB SHADOW
Brainstorm businesses that would integrate with
your classroom:
(Contact human resources or public relations department if
you have no contact person.)
Company Name Contact Name Telephone
1.___________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service__________________________________
2.__________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service___________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service___________________________________
4._________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service___________________________________
5.___________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service___________________________________
6.___________________________________________________________________
A. Primary Product/Service_____________________________________
B. Secondary Product/Service___________________________________
Sample Telephone Contact for Teacher Job Shadowing
and Checklist
Call to arrange teacher externship appointment:
Example: “My name is _________________ and I teach at
________________.
I would like to incorporate some “real life” experiences
into my classroom, as I am teaching a unit on career exploration
next month. May I job shadow for a couple of hours one afternoon
next week? I'm particularly interested in observing
lab technicians perform their job duties. I would also like
to ask them questions, such as their level of education, salary
range, typical workday, and positive aspects of their job.
Would this be possible?”
Company Name_______________________________________________________
Contact Name________________________________________________________
Department__________________________________________________________
Telephone__________________________ Fax___________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
Externship Date__________________________ Time_______________________
Check-In Location______________________________________________________
Directions to Company__________________________________________________
Parking____________________ Dress Requirements_______________________
Foreseeable Problems___________________________________________________
Check List:
Confirm the appointment the day before the visit.
Arrive at the agreed upon time.
Follow all company guidelines at the site.
Act professionally at all times.
Give employees time to answer your questions. (Let them do
most of the talking);
Be enthusiastic about what you see.
Thank contact for externship visit.
Leave at agreed upon time.
Send thank-you note.
Sample Business Request for Teacher Job Shadowing
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
Thank you for taking the time to consider participating in
a job shadowing experience for teachers. As you are probably
aware, employer surveys (conducted both locally and nationally)
conclude that the majority of entry-level workers lack the
basic skills needed to be immediately productive in the workplace.
In response to these trends, the _______________Partnerships
Academy is working to increase student achievement and motivation
through new teaching strategies. This includes business and
industry, labor, teachers, counselors, administrators, parents,
and the community. Through the use of innovative curriculum,
hands-on projects, and workplace experiences, this Partnership
Academy seeks to integrate the foundation skills of reading,
writing and math with general workplace skills, such as problem
solving/critical thinking, articulation, technology usage,
and teamwork.
The job shadow experience is designed to expose teachers and
other educators to careers and work environments. It is an
opportunity for them to see what a job entails, to observe
and interact with business professionals, and to recognize
the link between the skills the job shadow participants are
teaching in the classroom and the skills being used in the
workplace.
By connecting high school educators with local businesses/industries,
teachers will learn about the world of work, create strategies
for teaching work-based skills and competencies that are needed
to be successful in the “real world.”
Here's how you can help. We are planning a job shadow
for __________________high school teachers on ________________________,
from approximately __________________ to ___________________.
We will contact you within the next two weeks. Meanwhile,
if you have any questions or need additional information,
please contact us at ___________________.
Sincerely,
Name
Sample Employer Information Sheet for Teacher Job
Shadowing
Thank you for participating in “Teacher Job Shadowing.”
Please fill in the information and fax this form to: ______________________
Name___________________________________ Title____________________________
Phone___________________________________ Fax_____________________________
Job Shadow Date__________________________ Time____________________________
Contact Person (indicate if same as above)________________________________________
Position____________________________________________________________________
Phone___________________________________ Fax_____________________________
Full Business/Industry Name____________________________________________________
Street Address_______________________________________________________________
City________________________________ State________________
Zip Code_______
Lunch (Check one)
________Employer provides ________Teacher purchases _________Teacher
brings Comments:
Appropriate Attire:
Directions to worksite:
Parking location:
Specific entrance/door:
Sample Business Confirmation
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
Thank you for your participation in the _______________________________Academy
Teacher Job Shadow Day.
The times and dates of teachers' visits include:
Name Date Time
_________________________________ ________________ __________________
_________________________________ ________________ __________________
_________________________________ ________________ __________________
_________________________________ ________________ __________________
A copy of questions teachers may ask during their job shadowing
experience is enclosed.
Thank you again for supporting the Partnership Academy Job
Shadow Day. Enjoy your time with the teachers!
SAMPLE JOB SHADOW QUESTIONS
General
Would you give me a brief description of your company?
Who are your clients or customers?
How is your company organized? (May I see an organizational
chart?)
During the past several years, what major industry changes/issues
have impacted your company?
What changes/issues does your company anticipate having an
impact on the company's future development?
What is company dress policy?
How many employees are with the company?
Full - time:
Part - time:
Temporary/Seasonal:
What job classifications does your company have?
Clerical Sales/Marketing
Unskilled Professional
Semi-Skilled Technical
Skilled Managerial
Other:____________________________________________________
What job classifications do you expect to have the greatest
demand within the next five years?
What are the titles of entry-level positions in your company?
What level of education, training, skills, or experiences
does an applicant need for an entry-level position?
What is the entry-level wage for that position?
How do you locate future employees?
Given two equally qualified applicants, how does the company
choose which one to hire?
Who interviews the applicants?
How many applications are received (week, month, and year)?
How many applicants are interviewed?
What training do you give employees?
How do you evaluate employees?
What is your company policy on attendance/tardies?
What advice would you give a student who is interested in
working for your company?
How is your company involved in education?
How is your company involved in the community?
Specific
Describe your typical workday.
What level of education is needed?
What academic and vocational skills are required for your
job?
What is the salary range for this job?
What hours do you work?
What are the positive aspects of your job?
What are the negative aspects of your job?
What advice would you give a student who is interested in
working in your occupation?
How did you get this job?
Would you be willing to participate on an advisory board?
Would you be willing to speak to my class?
Would you be willing to allow a student to job shadow?
Would you be willing to mentor a student?
What other employee should I job shadow?
Teacher Externship Observation Form
Category Observed Evidence
Employee Attire _______________________________
Communication Activities:
Reading _______________________________
Writing _______________________________
Speaking _______________________________
Listening _______________________________
Body Language _______________________________
Team Interactions _______________________________
Scientific Concepts _______________________________
Mathematical Concepts _______________________________
Historical Perspective _______________________________
Technology Used _______________________________
Software Used _______________________________
Employee Training _______________________________
Leadership Skills _______________________________
Employee Attitudes _______________________________
General Job Skills _______________________________
Specific Job Skills _______________________________
Integrated Work _______________________________
Good Work Habits/Behaviors _______________________________
Poor Work Habits/Behaviors _______________________________
Materials/Equipment/Tools _______________________________
Visual Aids/Posters/Videos/Graphs/Maps _______________________________
Time Issues _______________________________
Health/Safety Issues _______________________________
Diversity Respected _______________________________
Motivation Activities _______________________________
Quality Control _______________________________
Evaluation/Performance Reviews _______________________________
Problem Solving/Trouble Shooting _______________________________
Acquiring Information _______________________________
Evaluating Information _______________________________
Organizing Information _______________________________
Interpreting Information _______________________________
Critical Thinking/Decision Making _______________________________
Liability/Insurance Concerns _______________________________
Teacher Job Shadow
Workplace Skills Observation Form
Please note the skills and personal qualities you observe
during your job shadow experience that are necessary for solid
job performance. Record the ways you saw these skills being
used.
Basic Skills:
Reading,
Writing,
Mathematics,
Listening,
Speaking |
|
Thinking Skills:
Creative thinking,
Making decision,
Problem solving,
Seeing things mentally,
Knowing how to learn,
Reasoning |
|
Personal qualities:
Individual Responsibility,
Sociability,
Self-Management,
Integrity |
|
Teacher Name_______________________________________________________________
Date_______________________________________________________________________
Company___________________________________________________________________
Occupation(s)_______________________________________________________________
Teacher Job Shadow
Workplace Competencies Observation
Form
Please identify the workplace competencies observed
during the job shadowing.
Record the ways you saw these competencies being used.
Resources:
Allocating Time,
Money,
Materials,
Space, and
Staff |
|
Interpersonal Skills:
Working on teams,
Teaching others,
Serving customers,
Leading,
Negotiating, and
Working with people from
culturally diverse backgrounds. |
|
|
Systems:
Understanding social Organizational
and Technological systems,
Monitoring, and Correcting performance,
& Designing or improving systems |
|
Technology:
Selecting equipment and tools,
Applying technology to specific tasks,
and Maintaining and troubleshooting technologies |
|
Information:
Acquiring and evaluating data,
Organizing and maintaining files,
Interpreting and communicating, and
Using computers
|
|
Teacher Name____________________________________ Date_____________________
Company________________________________________ Occupation________________
Sample Job Shadowing/Internship Daily Log
(Completed by teacher/intern)
Intern Name_________________________________________________________________
Company___________________________________________________________________
Date_______________________________________________________________________
Skills Observed:
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Classroom Application Notes:
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Terms/Vocabulary
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Concepts |
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“Real Life” examples:
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“Hands-on” Activities |
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"The more you learn, the more you earn."
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Lesson Plan Developed Through Externship
Objectives:
Advance Preparation:
Resources/Materials:
Pre-learning Activities:
Learning Activities:
Closure/Homework:
Assessment:
Curriculum Integration
| TOPIC |
CULMINATING PROJECT
(For All 5 subjects) |
ENGLISH Activities |
| MATHEMATICAL Activities |
SOCIAL SCIENCES Activities
|
| SCIENCE Activities |
ELECTIVE Activities |
POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES / PROJECTS
Labs, videos, guest speakers, surveys, opinion polls,
reports (written and oral), models, debates, literature
reading, content reading, writing essays, presentations,
show and tell, advertisements, letters, journals, interviews,
estimates, drawing, manuals, scripts, autobiographies,
stories, measuring, mapping, estimating, drawing, sculpturing,
musical compositions, computer programs, role playing,
computer activities, research, budgets, conferences, symposiums,
broadcasts, experimenting, field observations, charting,
pamphlets, newsletters, blueprints, comic books, photography,
games, carving, weaving, job-shadowing, fashion shows,
magazines, recitals, murals, apprentices, work experience,
panel discussions, portfolios, contests, service projects,
or games. |
Sample Teacher Job Shadow
Thank You Letter
Date
Name of contact person
Name of business/industry
Address
City, State, Zip code
Dear_______________________:
Thank you for your time and patience during
my job shadowing experience. I observed several skills and
competencies that can be implemented in my _______________class.
As a result of my experience with you, I will be more successful
at helping students understand the connection between academic
learning and workplace skills necessary for success in the
world of work.
Sincerely,
Teacher's name
______________Department
______________Name of school
Sample Job Shadow
Thank You Letter
from Academy Director
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
Dear ____________________________:
Thank you for participating in the ______________________________Academy
Job Shadow Day on ____________________________. We believe
it was a very successful day. According to the employer surveys,
the experience was very beneficial and the employers are eager
to participate in the program again.
Comments received from the teachers were also extremely positive.
Many have specific ideas on utilizing their experience by
enriching their classroom curriculum and instruction. One
teacher spoke of the need to stress quality, presentation,
responsibility, basic skills, and self-esteem. Another said
this experience was the best of any “in-service learning”
activities in which she had participated.
As we continue to refine and improve job shadowing learning,
any additional suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again for supporting the staff at ________________________
Academy at _________________________ High School. We look
forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Name
Title
Sample Job Shadow
Evaluation for Teachers
Thank you for participating in the Teacher Job Shadow Program.
In an effort to improve this experience for both the educators
and the employers, please complete this brief survey and return
it to the address below.
Thank you.
Name_____________________________________________________________________
School____________________________________________________________________
Company__________________________________________________________________
Employee(s) Shadowed_______________________________________________________
Date(s) Shadowed________________________ Hours Shadowed_________________
1. The job shadow was connected to your subject matter
of expertise?
|
Agree Disagree |
| 2. The experience made you more aware of the workplace
readiness (problem solving, technology, communication)
required by the employer. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 3. Discussions with the employer focused on the academic
preparation required for the occupation(s) observed. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 4. During the experience, ways were identified in which
classroom instruction could incorporate the skills needed
in the occupations(s) observed. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 5. The procedures and guidelines provided for the job
shadow experience give an adequate and clear understanding
of what to expect. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
6. What could have been done to help make the experience
more meaningful for you?
|
|
| 7. Would you participate in the Job Shadow Program again? |
_Yes _No |
Thank you for taking the time to complete this evaluation.
Please fax to:
Sample Job Shadow
Evaluation for Employers
Thank you for participating in the Teacher Job Shadow Program
and hosting an academy teacher. In an effort to improve this
experience for both the employer and the teacher, please complete
this brief survey and return it to the fax number listed below.
Thank you.
Name_____________________________________________________________________
Company___________________________________________________________________
Employee(s) Shadowed_______________________________________________________
Teacher's Name_____________________________________________________________
Date(s) Shadowed________________________ Hours Shadowed_________________
1. The job shadow was connected to the teacher's
subject matter expertise.
|
Agree Disagree |
| 2. The teacher learned about workplace readiness (problem
solving, technology, communication) required by you as
the employer. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 3. The teacher discussed the academic preparation required
for the occupation(s) observed. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 4. The teacher discussed ways in which classroom instruction
could be made more relevant to your occupations(s)/career
field. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
| 5. The procedures and guidelines provided for this job
shadow experience gave you an adequate and clear understanding
of what to expect. |
1 2 3 4 5 |
6. What could have been done to help make the experience
more meaningful for you and or the teacher? |
|
| 7. Would you participate in the Job Shadow Program again?
|
|
| 8. Would your business be willing to participate in
an ongoing advisory capacity? |
_Yes _No |
Thank you for taking the time to complete this evaluation.
Please fax to:
|
