Six area teachers are learning the ropes at area companies for four weeks this summer. The teachers will make stronger connections between education and industry. The teachers have been placed at Microsoft, Sanford Health, John Deere Electronic Solutions, Bobcat Company, Ulteig and Moore Engineering.
The experience gives each teacher the opportunity to further develop their understanding of the engineering design process through practical work experience. By working with engineers at their respective company, the teacher will gain more in-depth knowledge of teamwork, collaboration, communication and other critical skills needed to be successful in the work environment. Each teacher will gain the knowledge to develop curriculum materials and lesson plans that create project-based STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) activities in the classroom. Each teacher will strengthen their ability to make curriculum content more relevant and applicable.
“It is important for teachers to make content relevant for their students, and the teacher internship programs provide the experience teachers need to deliver their course content in a meaningful way,” said Bradley Bowen, Assistant Professor NDSU.
“The GFMEDC is proud to support local teachers and provide them additional tools to give students a rich educational experience. Partnering with education is a critical piece in order to align education with industry needs growing our economy and improving our quality of life,” said Jim Gartin, GFMEDC President.
The internships started June 3rd and will run through June 28th. The teachers spend Monday through Thursday at their respective company, and on Friday, the interns meet to reflect on their experiences.
The following teachers applied and interviewed to be selected for this opportunity.
Ulteig
Cheryl Bombenger,
3rd Grade Teacher at Holy Spirit
Microsoft
Janae Helvik
Business Ed Teacher at West Fargo High School
Moore Engineering, Inc.
Nicole Seyfried
9th Grade Math Teacher at West Fargo Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center
John Deere Electronic Solutions
Carmen Tubbs
Special Ed, 1-5, Westside Elementary in West Fargo
Sanford Health
Amanda Schouweiler
Special Ed Strategist, 6-8, West Fargo STEM Center/Cheney Middle School
Bobcat Company
Patricia Arnold
Science, West Fargo High School
Each teacher will receive a $2000.00 stipend. Each company is sponsoring half the stipend with the remainder sponsored by the South East Education Cooperative and the ESTEEM Institute.
The internship program was started as a pilot project in 2011 by the Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC, NDSU and the West Fargo STEM Center. The teacher was placed at John Deere Electronic Solutions. The internship program is open to K-12 teachers in both Cass and Clay Counties.
The GFMEDC helps initiate and support programs like the teacher internship to establish long-term workforce development strategies which support economic growth and vitality.
