Spring break pilot open to Oʻahu elementary, middle school educators
Posted: October 26, 2023
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association is reviving a popular program that connects teachers with local businesses so they can help their students become college and career-ready.
Approximately 10 participants will have the opportunity to work with Oʻahu-based business partners in a variety of industries, such as automotive, health care, banking, hospitality, and agriculture.
Program coordinator and former HSTA teacher leader Dana Shishido says the externship’s revival is incredibly important to support educators and students in a post-pandemic world.
“Isolation robbed students of the opportunity to form real-world connections, so now we’re finding many of them, especially our younger students, lack important communication and problem-solving skills, and a forward-looking perspective,” she said. “It’s our job as teachers to prepare them for the real world, to become strong members and future leaders of our society.”
The HSTA teacher externship program began in 2010 by Stacy Nishina, a public school teacher, longtime HSTA staff member, and tireless advocate for public education. The program was renamed the Stacy Nishina Teacher Internship Program after her passing.
“The goal of this program has always been to connect teachers with businesses so teachers can learn firsthand how they operate and what they’re looking for in their employees, then share these lessons with their students who will grow up to be potential employees in the future,” Shishido explained.
Pilot round slated for spring 2024 on Oʻahu
The pilot round of HSTA’s newly revived program, now called an externship, takes place over spring break, March 18–22, 2024. It’s open to elementary and middle school educators on Oʻahu with plans for neighbor-island expansion in subsequent rounds.
“Most people don’t realize that any given business doesn’t just have the typical jobs we might automatically think of,” Shishido said. “Take a hospital, for example. Sure, you have doctors and nurses. But there are so many more people who make that hospital run, from custodians to receptionists to engineers. It’s like a self-contained city.”
“Through this externship, teachers understand the variety of opportunities that a business or industry can provide, and how their students can tap into these opportunities,” Shishido said. “They also develop a relationship with the business that could potentially lead to more partnerships and learning opportunities for students moving forward.”
Externship participants will meet virtually in February and present their experiences in May with all business partners present.
Participants who meet all the requirements will receive a $1,000 stipend, made possible through a Grant in Aid award to the Hawaiʻi Foundation for Educators, a 501(c)(3) organization that works in partnership with the HSTA to provide Hawaiʻi’s educators with the quality training and professional development they need to support our keiki.
Key dates
- Nov. 21, 2023: Application deadline
- February 2024: Zoom meeting
- March 18–22, 2024: Externship
- May: Presentation for business partners