Help Shape the Future Workforce

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting area businesses to participate as hosts for the 2026 Teacher Externship Program, taking place July 13–16, 2026.

The Teacher Externship Program is designed to strengthen the connection between business and education by giving local educators firsthand exposure to the industries, career paths and workplace skills shaping our region’s economy. Through this experience, teachers step outside the classroom and into local businesses, gaining insight they can take back to their students as they prepare them for future careers.

For participating businesses, the program offers a meaningful opportunity to engage with the educators who work with tomorrow’s workforce every day. Hosts can showcase their company, highlight career opportunities, discuss the skills needed in their field, and build relationships that may lead to future classroom partnerships, student engagement, internships or employment connections.

Business hosts have creative control over the experience they provide. Whether that includes facility tours, department overviews, conversations with leadership, hands-on demonstrations or discussions about workforce needs, each host can design a schedule that reflects what is most important for teachers to understand about their company and industry.

The externship begins with a program introduction and industry tours. Educators then spend time with business hosts on the second and third days of the program. The final day includes a debrief and time for teachers to discuss classroom projects that help connect students to business and career opportunities.

Past participants have emphasized the value of the experience for both educators and employers. As Krisi Schell of SRC Holdings Corp. shared, the program is “a vital part of our talent strategy” and provides businesses the chance to build relationships with teachers while sharing more about available career paths and the skills needed now and in the future.

By serving as a host, your business can play an active role in preparing students for the workforce while helping educators better understand the opportunities available in our community.

Businesses interested in hosting a teacher extern can contact Karen Kunkel at karen@springfieldchamber.com for more information.