July 03, 2024

The Wentzville School District (WSD) wrapped up its inaugural Summer Teacher Externship program last month, with 50 teachers, counselors, and administrators participating in the unique learning experience.

Funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the externship offered educators the chance to choose three local businesses relevant to their subject areas to visit. This immersive experience provided them with firsthand insights into current industry trends, essential skills for future careers, and valuable opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

Through site visits hosted by community partners, participants gained an "on-the-ground" understanding of economic and career trends impacting their students. This allowed them to update their knowledge and skills about current workplace practices, requirements, and tools.

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, participating educators will collaborate with their chosen business partner on a client-connected project. This collaborative effort will further enrich classroom curriculum and provide students with a deeper understanding of potential career paths.

The Wentzville School District extends its gratitude to the following Wentzville businesses for their invaluable partnership in the 2024 Summer Teacher Externship program:

• General Mills

• Seyer Industries

• Duckett Creek Sanitary District

• Unique Canine

• Excel Sports & Physical Therapy

• Innsbrook Resort

• Hartwig Inc

• Missouri Department of Conservation

• Boone Center Inc

• Habitat For Humanity

• Wentzville Chamber of Commerce

• Cool Touch Graphics

This program's success paves the way for continued collaboration between the Wentzville School District and the local business community, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future success.