Rock Externship Program Pairs Teachers with Industry Partners

Front row (left to right): Melissa Baier de Garcia, Janesville School District, Visit Beloit; Olivia Wright, Janesville School District, STE; Shelly Learned, Janesville School District, RC Public Health; Erica Jensen, Janesville School District, JP Cullen; Nolan Otremba, Beloit Turner School District, IKI; Kati McQueen, Beloit School District, Alliant Energy; James Krajeck, Beloit School District, Alliant Energy; Amanda Olson, Janesville School District, SHINE; Kianna Byrd, Janesville School District, Stoughton Trailers. Second row: Riley Clark, Beloit Turner School District, Alliant Energy; Robert Martin, Janesville School District, Alliant Energy; Katy Nickols, Janesville School District, Alliant Engery; Deb Prowse, Beloit School District, Alliant Energy; Michelle Kelly, Beloit School District, CCI; Eric Schmutzer, Beloit Turner School District, Alliant Energy; Alison Packard, Beloit School District, Seneca; Brian Schram, Janesville School District, Alliant Energy; Brandon Miles, Janesville School District, Alliant Energy.

Nineteen high school educators from around Rock County gathered at Blackhawk Technical College on Friday for a workshop to conclude their experience in the Rock Externship Program, which is designed to immerse teachers in business environments and have them shadow specific occupations or disciplines for one week to gain knowledge that can be included into their classrooms.

This year’s participants represent four different area school districts: Beloit, Janesville, Turner and Clinton. Externs were placed at Alliant Energy, Seneca Foods Corporation, Prent Corporation, Corporate Contractors Inc., JP Cullen, Shine Technologies, IKI Manufacturing, Stainless Tank and Equipment, Stoughton Trailers, Rock County Public Health, and Visit Beloit.

Friday’s workshop at Blackhawk gave educators the opportunity to share what they learned at their worksites and to collaborate on how to apply this knowledge within their classrooms. Externs met at the college’s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning for a day of teamwork and curriculum development.