A great kickoff this morning to the annual Clarke County Connects Educator Externships Week, led by the Athens Community Career Academy and CCSD workforce development team in partnership with WorkSource Northeast Georgia and Invest Athens!

This week, approximately 20 teachers, counselors, and other support staff from CCSD middle and high schools will have paid learning opportunities where they will shadow professionals at local businesses in high-paid, high-demand industries (specifically focusing on the areas of biotechnology, manufacturing, health care, and hospitatlity) and will leave equipped with knowledge and better resources to help them advise our students on their college and career plans!

This morning, externs met with representatives from the businesses they'll be shadowing this week, and they spent the afternoon on a tour of Athens Technical College for a look at their facilities and an overview of Athens Tech dual-enrollment options as well as their admissions and financial aid processes. After shadowing this week, the externs will make their final presentations to the large group this Friday.

Thank you to our partners and these businesses for offering the shadowing opportunities to our educators this year: ABB , ACCGov Water Conservation, Athentic Brewing Company, Boehringer Ingelheim, The Classic Center, CCSD's school-based health centers in partnership with AU UGA Medical Partnership, MedLink Georgia, and Athens Neighborhood Health Center, Creature Comforts, Engineered Fabrication Inc., Piedmont Athens Regional, and Pilgrim's!