Meet the Host Companies & Educators Participating in the Maryland Chamber Foundation’s 2023 Teacher Externship Program

Meet the Host Companies and Educators Taking Part in This Year’s Program

Host Company: AstraZeneca

• Jeffrey Hodos teaches anatomy, physiology and AP biology at Middletown High School in Frederick County. During the summer of 2023, Jeffrey will be externing with AstraZeneca, where he looks forward to gaining first-hand experience in different biotechnology techniques, manufacturing processes and the various job roles and qualifications needed to work at a company like AstraZeneca. He looks forward to sharing the experiences he gains with his students, and using the real-world applications of science with his students, as well as sharing information about the many job opportunities that are available and the skills required to obtain them.
• Amanda McGrew is the work-based learning coordinator at Oakdale High School in Frederick County, where she works with students who participate in internships, apprenticeships and work study programs. She also teaches career research and development courses. During the summer of 2023, Amanda will complete an externship with AstraZeneca, where she looks forward to gaining insight into the jobs, functions, processes and expectations that exist at a leading company in the biopharma industry. She looks forward to sharing what she learns with students, using her experiences to connect them with available internships and careers.

Host Company: DAP, Inc. 

• Jason Smith is a building construction technology teacher at Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County. This summer, Jason will be externing with DAP Inc., and looks forward to gaining first-hand knowledge of how a successful corporation like DAP operates, the career opportunities they have to offer and how they adapt to the ever-changing market in which they serve. He looks forward to sharing what he learns with his students so they are aware of some of the many career opportunities that await them after high school.

Host Company: Freestate Electrical

• Ernest Nkiangu is an electrical technology and construction teacher at Crossland High School in Prince George’s County who will be externing at Freestate Electrical. Ernest looks forward to the hands-on experiences that he’ll be able to bring back to his classroom, and to sharing information and connections about careers in the electrical field with his students.

Host Company: Harris Co.  

• Joshua Garrison is an educator at Leonardtown High School in St. Mary’s County, where he teaches AP Computer Science, AAP Computer Science Principals, Foundations of Computer Science and more. Joshua will be externing at Harris Co. during the summer of 2023, and looks forward to working with and learning about the many different jobs and departments that help Harris Co. be successful. He looks forward to sharing information about the available jobs, daily work and career pathways that he will learn about with his students.
• Reynalaine Larga is a teacher at International High School at Largo in Prince George’s County, where she teaches career and research development and oversees the work study program. During the summer of 2023, Dr. Larga will be externing with Harris Co. She looks forward to working alongside professionals in the design, engineering and construction fields and learning about the latest trends and technologies in the mechanical contracting industry. She believes this experience will help her prepare students for their future careers and provide a better understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to be employed in this industry.

Host Company: Hatzel & Buehler

• Michele Petras is a school counselor at Towson High School in Baltimore County, and will be externing with Hatzel & Buehler during the summer of 2023. She looks forward to sharing the information and experiences she gains through this experience with students, helping to prepare them for today’s workforce and to be aware of opportunities that await them beyond high school.

Host Company: The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)

• Rudolph Outlaw is the school Career Coordinator at Northwestern High School in Prince George’s County, and will be externing with IUPAT during the summer of 2023. He works with students on career and research development as well as serves as the financial literacy for teens educator. Rudy looks forward to learning more about trades that are part of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) so that he can share the career opportunities and experiences he learns about with his students.
• Lori Crawford is a counselor at High Point High School in Prince George’s County, and will be externing with IUPAT during the summer of 2023. Lori looks forward to learning about the skills, talents and opportunities that exist in the fields of painters, decorators, paper layers and more. She looks forward to sharing the knowledge she gains to help her students better understand and explore some of the many career options that exist for them after high school.

Host Company: Baltimore Electrical JATC-24 

• Anjelica Tynes is a college and career research and development teacher at Parkville High School in Baltimore County. This summer, Anjelica will be externing with JATC 24, and looks forward to learning about the various apprenticeship programs they offer, the skills that students need to be successful job applicants and participants in these innovative programs, as well as the career opportunities that await students upon completion of JATC 24’s apprenticeship programs. Anjelica is excited to share what she learns with her students and to create a bridge between her classroom, school and students with JATC 24.

Host Company: Kaiser Permanente

• Alethea Smith is a business education teacher at Owings Mills High School in Baltimore County who will be externing with Kaiser Permanente during the summer of 2023. Alethea looks forward to learning about Kaiser Permanente’s operations, gaining insight into the insurance industry and building relationships that will benefit her students.

Host Company: KCI Technologies

• Melanie Green is the college and career advisor at North County High School in Anne Arundel County, and will be externing with KCI Technologies during the summer of 2023. Melanie looks forward to learning more about KCI’s work so that she can better understand the jobs, skills and technologies being used in the STEM and Technology industry. She looks forward to using what she learns to share resources and opportunities with her students.

Host Company: Rosendin 

• John Eagan is the Building Construction Technology Teacher at Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County, where he teaches 9^th through 12^th graders studying construction about basic construction, construction math, hand tools, power tools, construction drawings and blueprints and more. During the summer of 2023, John will complete an externship at Rosendin, a commercial electrical company, where he looks forward to learning about the day-to-day operations, various roles and careers, and the many aspects that work together to help Rosendin succeed. He looks forward to sharing what he learns to help students better understand the soft and hard skills they need, along with the various careers — including those that aren’t hands-on — that exist. John is also excited to help his students make connections for internships and future employment.

Host Company: UnitedHealthcare 

• Heleena Wright is the program coordinator and instructor of health professions at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School in Prince George’s County. During the summer of 2023, Heleena will be externing with UnitedHealthcare. She looks forward to learning about the skills and competencies needed in the managed healthcare industry, and to learning about the vast number of job opportunities available in the healthcare field. She also looks forward to using her experiences to strengthen her teaching — bringing real-world content back into the classroom and helping to connect her students with potential job opportunities.
• Leigh Bierly is a teacher at Gaithersburg High School in Montgomery County who currently serves as the biomedical innovations teacher in her school’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences Program, in addition to teaching AP environmental science and 9^th grade biology. During the summer of 2023, Leigh will complete an externship with UnitedHealthcare where she looks forward to learning about the many career opportunities and initiatives offered by this leading business and employer.
• Kristina Bujanda is the English Department Chair at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore County. This summer, Kristina will be externing with UnitedHealthcare, where she looks forward to learning about real-world projects, careers and connections that will help her better support students as they transition to career opportunities after high school.

Host Company: W.E. Bowers

• Kim Grimes is a foundations of technology and engineering teacher at Laurel High School in Prince George’s County who will be externing with W.E. Bowers during the summer of 2023. Kim looks forward to broadening her knowledge about careers that await her students after high school.
• Norman Coloma teaches electronic systems, computer aided design and computer science principles at Oxon High School in Prince George’s County. This summer, Norman will be externing with W.E. Bowers. He looks forward to learning about the daily operations at this leading Maryland company, as well as bringing back real-world knowledge, examples and experiences from his own experience to share with students in the classroom.

Host Company: W.L. Gary, in partnership with CRW Mechanical

• Adanna Andrews-DeAraujo is the college and career advisor at Meade High School in Anne Arundel County. Adanna will be externing with W.L. Gary and CRW Mechanical during the summer of 2023, where she will have the unique opportunity to get insight into the operations of two leading Maryland businesses. She looks forward to gaining first-hand experiences in the HVAC, plumbing and pipe fitting fields, and to sharing what she learns with her students.

Host Company: The Whiting Turner Contracting Company

• Jason Mager is a carpentry teacher at Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County, and during the summer of 2023 he will be externing with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. He looks forward to sharing the information he learns along with the real-world experiences he takes part in to help his students make connections to the skills, jobs and opportunities that await them.
• Wilbert Brinson Sr. is the Academic Coordinator for the Construction Design Management Academy at Bowie High School in Prince George’s County. Wilbert will be externing with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company during the summer of 2023. He teaches 10^th through 12^th graders in subjects that include construction design, principles of construction design, advanced design, 3D modeling, advanced construction management and more. Wilbert looks forward to sharing industry knowledge, lessons learned in the field and potential networking and internship opportunities with his students.
• Jackie Letizia is a high school counselor at Laurel High School in Prince George’s County, and will be externing with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company during the summer of 2023. She works with students in grades 9 through 12 in their English Language Learner population. She looks forward to learning more about the contracting and construction industries, the various jobs available in these fields, and to sharing her experiences with the students and their families.
• Jose Torres is a career and technical education teacher in the field of construction at Reach Partnership High School in Baltimore City. This summer, Jose will be externing with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company where he looks forward to immersing himself in the work, projects and business aspects of this leading company. He also looks forward to sharing what he learns and using it to educate his students about this field and the career opportunities within it, in addition to further supporting their success by introducing the real-world experiences and connections he will gain.