From Externship to Classroom

My externship gave me the opportunity to step outside of my classroom and learn new skills, tools, and ways of thinking that I can bring directly back to my students. Working alongside a high-caliber mentor teacher and exploring makerspace and CTE experiences helped me see even more clearly how powerful hands-on, student-driven learning can be.

I was able to design and develop a hands-on kids’ camp centered around design thinking, woodworking, technology, and real-world problem solving. These experiences connect directly to my classroom curriculum, where students are encouraged to ask questions, design solutions, build prototypes, use tools and technology, and learn through the process of creating.

The biggest takeaway for me is that learning becomes more meaningful when students can see how their skills connect to the real world. My externship gave me new ideas, confidence, and practical skills to continue creating those authentic learning experiences for my students.