Teachers In Virginia Take On Internships Increase Classroom Skills

The Washington Post (7/19, Gibson) reports on teachers who are working in different jobs this summer "as part of the George Washington University Teachers in Industry Project -- a program that has paired 16 middle and high school teachers from Loudoun public schools with seven prominent local businesses for three-week, full-time internships this summer." Their goal is to back up their teaching skills in STEM classes with "real-world experience." The teachers are working in "emergency medicine, airport management" as well as a vineyard. The Post notes, "The idea emerged from a group of 40 Loudoun business and education leaders who were convened by the Loudoun Economic Development Commission in 2008 to address the issue of impending workforce shortages resulting from the retirement of baby boomers, and how best to prepare students for the 21st-century workforce."