Maryland Chamber Foundation’s Teacher Externship Program Grows by 766% in 2021

ANNAPOLIS, Md.— The Maryland Chamber Foundation proudly announces the launch of its 2021 Teacher Externship Program, a unique opportunity for 25 Maryland educators to be paired with local businesses with the goal of gaining real-world learning essential to transition their students into the workforce. Beginning in July, the program will provide teachers with a four to six-week business experience at one of 13 host companies. The paid externship bridges the gap between businesses and educators, helping teachers gain valuable technical and career pipeline knowledge they can pass on to their students. The 13 host companies represent large and small businesses across the state of Maryland and include:

• Amazon
• BGE
• BGE HOME
• Cards Technology
• DAP Products Inc
• Freestate Electrical
• Kaiser Permanente
• KCI Technologies
• Leidos
• Potomac Edison
• Stanley Black & Decker
• UnitedHealthcare
• Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

In its third year, the Maryland Chamber Foundation Teacher Externship Program is staged to impact thousands of Maryland students in 2021 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 three participating teachers in 2020, the 25 teacher externs represent a 766% growth in 2021.

“Teachers have a powerful and lasting impact on their students’ lives,” said Whitney Harmel, vice president of membership and development for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “Giving our educators the opportunity to be empowered with this wealth of new information has the potential to change the future of Maryland’s workforce. Our businesses have high-paying jobs available for those with the right skills, and our goal is to create real pathways for our diverse population of Maryland students to follow towards lucrative careers.”

“Our teacher externships have become the flagship program for the Maryland Chamber Foundation as we work to drive solutions in education, talent pipeline and workforce development,” said Steve Woerner, chairman of the Maryland Chamber Foundation’s board of directors and president and chief operating officer of BGE. “Building this bridge between educators and businesses opens up a wealth of opportunity for thousands of Maryland high schoolers as they make critical career and life decisions.”

Learn more about the Teacher Externship Program here.
Meet the 2021 Teacher Externs here.

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About the Maryland Chamber Foundation
Established in 1987, the Maryland Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on the research and educational objectives of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation supports research on issues important to businesses, including analyses of the Maryland economy and business climate. This research drives solutions in education, talent pipeline, and workforce development. With the goal of improving the connection between business, education and all Marylanders, the Maryland Chamber Foundation focuses on building partnerships to leverage and enhance existing programs. Learn more here.