Blog

This summer, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is excited to welcome Kimberly Moreno, a teacher from Round Rock ISD, through the Teacher Externship Program.

During her time with WSRCA, Kim is learning from our board staff about the many ways we support job seekers, employers, students, educators, and communities across our region. From learning about workforce programs to shadowing career coaches, Kim is getting a closer look at how workforce development connects people to opportunity.

She is also learning how WSRCA engages with local school districts and supports career exploration efforts for students. As an educator, Kim brings a valuable classroom perspective that helps us better understand how teachers connect students to future career pathways.

Why Teacher Externships Matter

The Teacher Externship Program helps connect classroom learning to the real world. It gives educators the opportunity to see how classroom content, career readiness skills, and workplace expectations come together.

Through these experiences, teachers can bring new ideas, examples, and strategies back to their students. They can better show how skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking are used beyond the classroom.

Teacher externships also strengthen the connection between schools, workforce boards, chambers, and community partners. When educators and workforce professionals learn from one another, students benefit.

Learning Goes Both Ways

While Kim is learning about WSRCA, we are also learning from her.

Her experience as a teacher gives us insight into what students are seeing, asking, and needing in the classroom. That perspective helps us continue improving how we support schools, educators, and future talent across our communities.

Exploring Career Pathways Through Hands-On Learning

As part of her externship experience, Kim joined WSRCA staff for a visit to Austin Community College’s Make It Center. This was one of many ways we wanted to expose her to different workforce and career exploration experiences.

During the visit, we toured the space and watched students explore different career pathways through hands-on activities. Students also worked together to build miniature Formula 1 cars using craft materials, combining creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

The visit was a great reminder of why hands-on career exploration matters. When students can see, touch, and experience different career possibilities, it helps make their future feel more real and within reach.

We are grateful to have Kim with us this summer and look forward to continuing to learn together.