Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill to help teachers better understand the world of work.
This week, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee heard HB 267, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph). The bill would reestablish Missouri’s successful teacher externship program which sunset in 2024.
Since 2019, the teacher externship program has allowed Missouri educators in grades K-12 to participate in externships at local businesses and career centers to gain hours of education to advance along the salary schedule.
School administrators, teachers and counselors participate in these hands-on learning opportunities and then take that knowledge back to their students.
“Many educators are not familiar with the types of jobs and the variety of jobs that are available for their students, because they studied to be educators – not welders, engineers, nurses, logistics specialists, IT specialists or accountants,” Shields said.
Cade Tremain, manager of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber, testified in support.
“Teacher externships provide a way for both the business and the education communities to collaborate,” Tremain said. “They integrate and they exchange relevant information on today’s jobs and the types of technical and soft skills that are needed to be competitive as an employee or as a job candidate.”
Tremain shared information about the success of Show-Me Careers, the Missouri Chamber Foundation’s teacher externship program.
Since 2018, Show-Me Careers has served nearly 900 education professionals from 149 school districts. The program is offered statewide in direct partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and it is regionally supported by the Kauffman Foundation, rootEd Missouri and local chambers of commerce.
Nearly 100 employers and organizations have contributed to Show-Me Careers, including Ameren, Oracle, PARIC, Children’s Mercy and Emery Sapp & Sons.
“Educators engaging with local businesses will build lasting relationships,” Tremain said.
For more information, contact Tremain at ctremain@mochamber.com or 573-634-3511.
