Fitchburg State College
Center for Professional Studies
Spring 2008

Teacher Externship
February 5, 12, March 26, 4; 4 – 8 p.m.; Fitchburg State CPS Room
February 7, 14, 28; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Computer Lab
February 15 – 25; 12 hours at business site 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; various business/community partners

Course Description: The Teacher Externship program is an intensive field and classroom-based training program, designed to give area educators (Greater Gardner School-to-Career Partnership) an opportunity to explore key concepts related to school-to-career, skills needed in today’s workplace, and connections to their own curriculum and teaching methods. Educators spend two days on site at local companies where they will examine all aspects of that enterprise’s work—from the design of products and services, to management functions, marketing, etc. While on site, they will also actively participate in a hands-on project linked to curriculum areas they currently teach. Following the site visit, educator participants will spend three days examining the implications of their visit, refining curriculum development skills, developing specific curricular projects and activities that reflect school-to-career methods, and exploring ways to use those methods as catalysts for widespread (systematic) educational change.