The Impact of Educator Externships
The Chamber saw 49 educators—our largest number ever—participate at 45 employers as part of our Educator Externship program. The program connects the classroom to the workplace, providing a paid opportunity for educators to spend time onsite at an area business to gain perspective and identify ways to creatively integrate relevant, real-world experiences into student learning. Educators' commitment is for five days, which included a pre- and post-experience and three days onsite at the employer.
We asked our externs to share their real-world exposure and explain how it will find its way into the classroom! Here’s just a sampling of what they had to say:
Career Guidance Specialist Extern – Specialized Staffing
"At Specialized Staffing, I got to see the hiring process from the employer's perspective, and it was incredibly informative. It reminded me just how important communication and professionalism are. I’m already planning to incorporate mock interviews, resume critiques and more career-readiness content into my lessons."
High School Nursing PLTW Educator Extern – Senior1Care/Legacy Medical Academy
"My time with Senior1Care and Legacy Medical Academy was inspiring. Watching how caregivers are matched with clients showed me the depth of responsibility and empathy involved in this work. I’m bringing that sense of purpose into my health pathway classes and encouraging students to think about caregiving as a rewarding, skillful profession."
Middle School Math Educator Extern – D.A. Dodd
"I was blown away by how much math goes into skilled trades like pipefitting. Watching professionals calculate and measure on the spot gave me great examples to bring back to my geometry class. It’s one thing to teach formulas—it’s another to show how those formulas are used to build something real."
Digital Integration Educator Extern – South Bend Code School
"My time at South Bend Code School was incredibly energizing. I saw how students with an interest in tech can take ideas and turn them into real, scalable businesses. I’m excited to use this as inspiration for student innovation challenges and to show what’s possible when creativity and coding intersect."
Middle School Personal Finance Educator Extern – Baird Wealth Management
"My time at Baird was incredibly relevant—everything I observed connected directly to what I teach in finance. Seeing real-life applications of data and financial concepts helped me think about new ways to bring those topics to life for my students. I’m excited to incorporate more authentic examples of wealth management and financial planning into my lessons."
High School Art Educator Extern – Hayes Design Co.
"Watching craftsmen build custom pieces from scratch helped me connect the dots between design thinking and entrepreneurship. I want my students to see how creativity and business go hand-in-hand, and give them the tools to explore both in class."
High School Science Educator Extern – Notre Dame Turbomachinery Lab
"Walking into that lab felt like stepping into the future. The range of equipment and the diversity of roles blew me away. I plan to use this experience to show students what engineering really looks like—and that it’s not just one kind of job or one kind of person."
High School English Educator Extern – Embassy Suites
"I was surprised to learn that the general manager built her career without a traditional college path—it’s a story I know will resonate with my students. So many of them don’t see themselves in leadership roles yet, and now I have a concrete example to show how determination and hospitality skills can take you far."
Career Guidance Specialist Educator Extern – General Stamping & Metalworks
"GSM had this incredible culture of learning and accountability. I saw how much value they placed on team growth, which gave me ideas for how to structure group projects in my own class. I want students to learn how to work together like professionals."
Thank you to our participating schools and employers!