Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Teacher Externship?
Externships connect classroom teachers with business professionals in their fields of study, in order to make students’ learning more relevant to the 21st century workplace. Teachers use their firsthand experiences from the week to develop job-related lesson plans to share with students.

When is Teacher Externship Week, and what happens each day?
The next Teacher Externship Week takes place June 7-11, 2010. Following a breakfast orientation on Monday, teachers report to work in the afternoon, work three full business days Tuesday-Thursday, and work a half-day Friday morning before reconvening for an appreciation luncheon on Friday afternoon.

How did the Externship Program get started? Who are your partners?
Teacher externships began in 2003 as a collaboration between the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston A+ Challenge, the Houston Mayor’s Office and Houston ISD.  For the second year in a row, Shell Oil Company has contributed generously to the program.

Which school districts are participating this year?
The program has grown from one district in 2003 to 17 in 2008.

How many teachers will be allowed into the program in 2010?
In 2010, we are planning to accept at least 100 teachers into the program.

In 2008, a total of 245 teachers participated – 202 sponsored through Houston A+ Challenge and 43 through Taking Education to Work.

How are teachers selected?
In 2008, Houston A+ Challenge received more than 350 applications from teachers across the Houston metro area. The applications were reviewed and scored by Houston A+ Challenge and business sponsors. The top applicants were admitted into the program.

What are the most requested industries by teachers?
Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Law and Technology.