Faces of the STEM: Teacher Externships Program Coordinators

Jason Lang, Meghan Lang and Marc Benedict are instrumental in leading coordination of the STEM Teacher Externships Program.
Pictured left to right: Jason Lang, Meghan Lang and Marc Benedict are instrumental in leading coordination of the STEM Teacher Externships Program.

Career-Linked Learning experiences through the STEM Teacher Externships Program include nearly 700 educator and workplace matches since 2009, reaching thousands of students through career application in the classroom. STEM Teacher Externs have brought dramatic new perspectives that have  expanded awareness of local career opportunities and connected classroom curriculum to workplace opportunities, all while enhancing the bottom line of employer hosts.. This impactful program is driven by supervisor Jason Lang, coordinator Meghan Lang and assistant coordinator Marc Benedict.

Each year, these program coordinators recruit STEM teacher externs and workplace hosts, match qualified STEM teachers to workplaces, host trainings and forums, maintain contact and guidance throughout the STEM Teacher Externship experience, ensure graduate credit needs are met, maintain program records and so much more. This tireless work is conducted in addition to and outside full-time teaching careers. Jason and Meghan are science teachers at Cedar Falls High School and Marc is a TLC master teacher at Graettinger-Terril Community School District.

“One of the highlights for me each year is hearing how much teachers have learned during their STEM Teacher Externship and ways they plan to take their experience back to their classroom,” said Jason. “Through that firsthand feedback, we know without a doubt that this program is leaving a mark on the state.”

The STEM Council is currently accepting applications for licensed teachers. Employers can submit a Workplace Host Interest Form to participate in the 2022 summer STEM Teacher Externship Program. For more information, visit www.iowastem.org/externships.

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