06/15/2026
🎉 Celebrating the Culmination of the 2026 Externships for Teachers Program! 🎉
For the past two weeks, 33 dedicated educators from LISD, UISD, JHCISD, and Laredo College stepped beyond the classroom and into the workplace, gaining firsthand experience at 30 different worksites across Laredo.
From logistics and healthcare to medical services, social services, and other high-demand industries, teachers had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world work environments, engage with industry professionals, and explore the skills and careers shaping our region's workforce.
As a result of their participation, each teacher will receive a $2,000 stipend and classroom supplies to support student learning during the upcoming school year. More importantly, they return to their classrooms equipped with fresh perspectives, industry knowledge, and innovative ideas they can incorporate into their lesson plans to better prepare students for future careers and workforce success.
We are especially proud that the Externships for Teachers initiative was first piloted right here in Laredo. After demonstrating outstanding results, the program expanded to communities across Texas, becoming a model for connecting education and industry. This year also marked a significant milestone, with the teacher stipend increasing from $1,000 to $2,000—further recognizing the value of our educators' commitment to professional growth.
A sincere thank you to our participating teachers, employer partners, school districts, and community stakeholders for making this year's program another tremendous success. Together, we are building stronger connections between education and workforce development and helping create brighter futures for the next generation.