Externships provide on-the-job training

We expect teachers to be book smart. But when a teacher can add some street smarts to the lesson, it grabs students' attention and strengthens their learning.

Michael DiStefano, Jeff DellaRovere, Ann Meservey, and Jane Mitchell gather for a post-externship meeting at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation on September 9.

Jeff DellaRovere's 12th-grade Current American Affairs students at Nipmuc High School in Upton will benefit this year from the street smarts he picked up by spending three days with the Uxbridge District Court probation officers as part of a teacher externship.

Teacher externships, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, give educators a clearer view of the skills needed by their students in future employment, introduce work-based and project-based learning into teaching strategies, and ultimately help teachers influence the quality of the future workforce. This summer's teacher externships were supported by a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

In a report of teacher extern programs produced by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, UMass Vice President for Economic Development Tom Chmura said, "Economic competitiveness is enhanced by the return to the classroom of a motivated and energized teacher who is armed with a new understanding of workplace needs."

DellaRovere plans to have his class explore what really happens from the time one is accused of a crime until the case has progressed through District Court. They will analyze the myriad judicial processes and possible outcomes for a range of crimes. It's not "Law & Order"-style trials.

"What struck me the most was the cost of being arrested and convicted, regardless of jail time," said DellaRovere. His workplace mentor, Chief Probation Officer Michael DiStefano, noted, "With a minimum $150 attorney's fee, $200 court cost, $65 per month in probation costs, and additional fees if found responsible for the crime, a conviction could come up to $5,000, and that's not including any jail time."

DiStefano has invited DellaRovere to bring his class to observe courtroom proceedings. "People don't realize the consequences of their actions. It's a good experience for students to just sit in the back and get a different perspective."

Millbury High School guidance counselor Ann Meservey will also bring back real-life scenarios to her students. Meservey spent two days with registered investment advisor Jane Mitchell at WB Smith Companies in Grafton. Mitchell helped Meservey better understand the stock market and why investors react to economic changes the way they do. Meservey plans to hold "Fantasy Investing 101", in which students will pick stocks and track them over the year through the online Morningstar.com service.

Mitchell and Meservey said that the externship opened up a lot of opportunities for both of them. "It helped me to be with a teacher because my job is teaching [clients], too. The best clients are knowledgeable about what's going on," said Mitchell. "I'd be happy to be a career speaker in the school," she added.

To expose Meservey to the wide range of activities involved in her job, Mitchell brought Meservey to an Uxbridge Rotary Club meeting. Meservey, who has a social work background, was surprised by the extensive business involvement in charitable activities. "I didn't know what Rotary was before, but it showed that you have to move through your community even in finance."

A third teacher, Uxbridge High School Spanish teacher Sarah Clarke, spent a one-day externship working with member and volunteer services at the Worcester Art Museum. Clarke was interested in discovering more opportunities to integrate foreign language knowledge with cultural institutions.

Both teacher and employer participants praised the value of externships. DiStefano said, "We learned a lot from the perspective of the school, and students will benefit from learning about the court system and procedures." Of Meservey's work and "Fantasy Investing 101" lesson plan, Mitchell simply summarized: "I'm wicked impressed."

Susan Spencer, Director
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation
"Focus on Education" September 2004

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
110 Church St.
Whitinsville, MA 01588-1442
Phone: 508.234.9090
Fax: 508.234.5152
administrator@blackstonevalley.org
An Affiliate of the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
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