ANNAPOLIS, Md.—The Maryland Chamber Foundation proudly announces the launch of its 2022 Teacher Externship Program, a unique opportunity for Maryland educators to be paired with local businesses with the goal of gaining real-world learning essential to transition their students into the workforce. From November 1 to December 31, 2021, teachers can apply to the program via the Maryland Chamber of Commerce website.
During the summer of 2022, the program will provide teachers that are accepted into the program with a four-week business experience at a Maryland host company. The paid externship builds the bridge between businesses and educators, helping teachers and career counselors gain valuable technical and career pipeline knowledge they can pass on to their students.
“Our businesses have high-paying jobs available for those with the right skills,” said Whitney Harmel, vice president of membership and development for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Maryland Chamber Foundation. “We empower teachers with career knowledge in the ever-evolving STEM fields and skilled trades, which they then pass on to their students. Our goal is to create real pathways for our diverse population of Maryland students to follow towards lucrative careers.”
“Our educators are more than essential. They continue to prove time and again their resilience and compassion — showing up each and every day for their students,” said Joe Ochipinti, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. “Externships are often transformative for educators, students and industry partners. Our experience with two teacher externs [in the summer of 2021] was invaluable, which is why we have committed to host three teacher externs in 2022.”
In its fourth year, the Maryland Chamber Foundation Teacher Externship Program is staged to impact thousands of Maryland students in 2022 as they consider their future careers. The industry and technical knowledge teachers gain allow them to enhance their curriculum and educate their students on both the hard and soft skills required to enter the workforce and obtain a livable-wage career. Up from four participating teachers in 2020, the 24 teacher externs from 10 Maryland counties represent a 500% growth in 2021.
In 2021, 12 companies hosted teacher externs including: Amazon, BGE, Cards Technology, DAP Inc, Freestate Electrical Companies, Kaiser Permanente, KCI Technologies, Leidos, Potomac Edison, Stanley Black & Decker, Whiting-Turner and UnitedHealthcare.
Host companies and teachers can apply for the 2022 program here.
Meet the 2021 Teacher Externs here.
