2026 Teacher Summer Externship
The YES! Teacher Summer Externship is an initiative of Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas that provides high school educators and AEL providers professional development opportunities with local businesses to enrich classroom learning. The 10-day externship experience will be held June 15-26, and consist of a half-day orientation, nine days of teachers on-site with the businesses, and a half-day final presentation. Teacher externs must meet eligibility requirements.
BECOME A BUSINESS HOST
As a Business Host, your company can support local educators—at no cost to you or your business—by providing real-world insight into the skills students need for future careers. This meaningful partnership helps shape your future workforce, strengthens school connections, and gives your team opportunities to grow as mentors and leaders. Explore the sections below to learn more!
BUSINESS HOST BENEFITS
Industry business partners benefit from the externship program by:
- Making a direct impact on classrooms without leaving your workplace.
- Helping teachers stay current with industry trends and apply them in the classroom.
- Building relationships with local educators and school districts.
- Showcasing your company through a visible, meaningful community partnership.
- Investing in the local talent pipeline and your future workforce.
BUSINESS HOST REQUIREMENTS
Submit application by Thursday, June 11, 2026, and participate in the Externship Week from June 15-26, 2026, which includes:
- No financial commitment: Teacher stipends, worker’s compensation, and liability insurance are covered by the participating Independent School District and through a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. There is no cost to the business partner.
- June 15: Attend the Meet & Greet Orientation for Business Externship Hosts and Teacher Externs from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the McLennan County Workforce Solutions Center in Waco.
- June 15-26: Host Teacher Externs on-site during the nine-day externship for industry experience/job shadowing.
- June 26: Complete the Business Externship Host Evaluation of the Externship Program and submit In-Kind Letter (template to be provided).
APPLY NOW TO BE A BUSINESS HOST
Applications must be submitted by the close of business on Thursdy, June 11, 2026.
Business Host Contact Information:
Jose Palacios, Director of Business & Industry Initiatives
Phone: 254-296-5383
Email Jose Palacios
BECOME A TEACHER EXTERN
As a Teacher Extern, you’ll step into local workplaces to see how classroom learning connects to real-world careers. This hands-on experience helps you bring relevance to your teaching by integrating the technical and essential skills today’s employers need—making lessons more meaningful and career-focused for your students. Explore the sections below to learn more!
High School Teacher Participation Requirements
The YES! Teacher Externship is a 10-day experience that includes an orientation, nine days on-site with business hosts, and a final half-day presentation. Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas coordinates business host placements for all participating teachers.
High school teachers should only apply if they agree to and meet the following requirements:
- Teach in a school district located in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, or McLennan counties.
- Submit all required eligibility documents and application by Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
- Participate fully in the externship from June 15-26, 2026.
- Attend the mandatory Meet & Greet Orientation on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the McLennan County Workforce Solutions Center in Waco.
- Attend all days of the externship.
- Provide your own transportation to and from the assigned business host worksite.
- Submit a high-quality, comprehensive lesson plan reflecting your experience with the business host using the provided template.
- Complete and submit a Teacher Extern Time Log signed by the business host.
- Participate in the Presentation Summary Meeting.
TEACHER EXTERN COMPENSATION
The YES! Teacher Summer Externship is a paid externship funded by grants awarded to Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas by the Texas Workforce Commission. Teacher Externs will receive $2,000 stipend after successfully meeting all Externship participation and attendance requirements. An additional $500 will be provided for teacher supply costs to purchase materials and/or supplies that are necessary for implementing their developed lesson plans within their classroom.
Please note: Teachers should apply only if they are able to fully participate in all required externship activities, including the Meet & Greet Orientation, all on-site days, and the Presentation Summary Meeting.
APPLY NOW TO BE A TEACHER EXTERN
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Eligibility requirements include:
- Teach in a school district located in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, or McLennan counties.
- Uploading a copy of your social security card and your driver’s license to the application.
- Registration with the Selective Service for males born after January 1, 1960 (males can verify registration here or register here).
To complete the application, you will also need the name, number, and email address of your school district’s payroll contact.
Teacher Extern Contact Information:
Sugey Jaimes, Project Support Specialist
Phone: 254-296-5392
Email Sugey Jaimes
Hear it from our Business Hosts!
It was great getting to see our employees proudly demonstrate and teach the teachers what their daily tasks are within the plant. For me, it was a big learning experience as I am a year in my position as office administrative assistant, and I shadowed with the teachers daily and learned a lot as well.
Getting to experience our company through their eyes was outstanding. They were full of curiosity, and eager to learn everything they can. Always having their students in their minds and how the things we do and how we do them can be applied to their day to day with the kids.
These ladies were the best. They came in not knowing what to expect and were amazed at the knowledge they learned. They also found out that there were more jobs than just nurses and housekeepers.
Cynthia showed a lot of interest in the work that we do here and the challenges that come with hiring employees. She liked the processes and so positive the entire time she was here.
I was able to talk to the teachers and understand what their needs are. Was able to offer real life experience as to what industry is looking for. Both … were very interested in the operations at the plant. They were very flexible to work with and the employees at the plant also enjoyed talking and explaining what they did to them.
Hear it from our Externs!
Overall, this was a wonderful experience that opened my eyes to how the industry operates. Lhoist was a great company where I felt welcome, and they were eager to show us the operations of the company and answer any questions that we had. They truly went above and beyond!
Thank you for hosting this amazing gathering of minds! Both Workforce Solutions and the greater Waco business community have provided us teachers an invaluable opportunity to experience local commerce and real world collective experience. Aligning K-12 academics with career motivation and progression into the workforce is fundamental for student success.
I learned aspects of all departments within the facility and their roles. This experience absolutely helped to get up to speed on the newer technology used. I learned a lot of great information on the application/hiring process and requirements. The Meet and Greet orientation held at the HOT Workforce prior to the externship definitely clarified so many things for me in what to expect. Overall, this was a terrific experience that will help shape my approach to teaching certain aspects of healthcare.
Thank you for the opportunity. I love this concept and I believe it can and will have a positive impact on our students.
Being able to see the real-life skills and knowledge that my students will need at an entry-level in different aspects for a business was amazing. We were able to try so many different departments and see how we can implement our high school lessons to better guide our students to be successful in the workforce.