Educator Externship Program
Connecting classroom learning to Idaho careers.
The Educator Externship Program connects Idaho educators with employers and community organizations for hands-on, career-connected work experiences. Educators complete professional-level projects while exploring industry needs, workplace culture, and career opportunities.
These partnerships provide valuable project support to host organizations and help educators bring real-world examples, employer connections, and career learning into their classrooms. Together, they strengthen connections between education and Idaho’s workforce.
Applications & Resources
Industry Partners
Share your industry knowledge and engage an educator in meaningful work that introduces them to your organization, workplace skills, and career opportunities.
Project Proposal Window: November 30,2026 – December 31, 2026
Status: Opening soon!
Supporting Resources:
- Submit a Host Project Proposal (Coming Soon)
- Host Playbook (Coming Soon)
Educators
Gain firsthand workplace experience, build employer connections, and gather ideas to help students connect classroom learning to future careers.
Educator Application Window: January 4, 2027 – February 28, 2027
Status: Opening Soon!
Supporting Resources:
- Apply as an Educator (Coming Soon)
- Educator Playbook (Coming Soon)
Questions about applying as an educator or developing a host project?
Contact Meliah Anchustegui at meliah.anchustegui@wdc.idaho.gov or 208-488-7568
Previous Cycle’s Impact (2026)
79
Participating Educators
57
Host Organizations
10
Key Industries Represented
14,834
Externship Hours Completed
4,986
Estimated Students Reached
Benefits of Participating:
For Educators
- Firsthand experience with Idaho employers and industry professionals.
- A better understanding of workplace expectations and in-demand skills.
- A stipend for completing approved externship hours.
- Meaningful project experience that can strengthen your professional practice.
- Employer connections that may lead to classroom speakers, site tours, job shadows, or work-based learning opportunities.
- Ideas for career-connected instruction.
For Industry:
- Professional-level support on a defined project or set of tasks.
- Education expertise, communication skills, research ability, curriculum knowledge, and fresh perspectives.
- A completed deliverable or set of deliverables agreed upon at the beginning of placement.
- An opportunity to build stronger connections within the education space.
Contact Meliah Anchustegui at meliah.anchustegui@wdc.idaho.gov or 208-488-7568
Impact That Returns to the Classroom:
“Instead of treating career planning as a single lesson or assignment, I can incorporate it into projects, discussions, research activities, budgeting, goal setting, and other classroom experiences.”
– Sara Duncan, Career Exploration & CTE Business Technology
“Through my externship I was able to see and exemplify real world applications of math. I intend to make the connection for students with real world careers and the income that those in this field (union plumbing and pipefitting) take in.”
– Samuel Davis, Middle School Math
