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Local Teacher Improves Student Supports by Participating in Externship

Partnerships allow for teaching alignment within real work environments and the classroom!

I participated in the Virtual Educator Externship, from October 19th to October 29th, 2020. When I received the invitation to participate, I was excited to see so many businesses willing to share their expectations with future employees and connect with teachers from different disciplines and districts.

The Virtual Educator Externships are made possible through a collaboration of The Center for the Future of Arizona, Arizona Business and Education Coalition, the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, and ElevateEdAZ.

Participating in the Virtual Educator Externship was an excellent opportunity to connect with businesses and have conversations about the opportunities available to our high school students.

It was important for me to learn about the latest requirements that employers are looking for, including the type of certifications that are required in order to be competitive.  It’s critical for us to take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with businesses who are willing to work with high school students.

As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, I’m always looking for resources that will help our students build skills that will prepare them for college, career, and life. I’m a software development teacher, and students come to my class because they love technology. They get excited by creating and developing their ideas. I get the opportunity to guide them through their journey and provide real-life problem-solving.

Partnerships with businesses will help me create activities to help the students understand what employers are looking for in a future employee. For example, employers can provide insights about current resume formats, workplace expectations, and which soft skills are the most important in the technology industry. Partnering with businesses will definitely increase student engagement in the classroom. Students will know that classroom activities are aligned with real work environments.

By working with local leaders and industry professionals, we are creating a better support system for students!

I can’t wait to see how these partnerships will help students follow their dreams and succeed in life.

  • Susana Masamery, Software Development Teacher, Phoenix Coding Academy, Phoenix Union High School District
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