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Career Academy Teacher Externship Program (CATE)

The purpose of the CESA 8 Career Academy Teacher Externship (CATE) Program is to bring career-based classroom curricula to life​ by improving teachers' knowledge of local career opportunities through first-hand experience. Through this unique professional development opportunity, middle and high school teachers from among the 27 districts in the CESA 8 region will be selected to work side-by-side with industry peers during a 2- to 5-day paid summer externship experience at participating Northeast Wisconsin businesses.

Understand workforce needs

Gain industry knowledge

Make local connections

It broke a lot of stereotypes that I have of what manufacturing looks like. I know if a students asks me a question, now I've got better answers."                     
                                                                                    Dave Nordeng, Math teacher, Marion

Business Feedback

"This program is a great way to get the school district and its teachers on track with what the community businesses need from the next generation employee." CRI, Shawano

"The shared awareness of each other's profession was the best part of this program. I have gained an even higher opinion of the work that educators do to make sure our kids are ready for college or careers. It's things like this that keep the 'public' in 'public education.'" Oconto Electric Cooperative
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"It brings businesses and education leaders together so that we can work to close the skills gap by keeping some of our students in our area." Nicolet Plastics

Teacher Feedback

"My eyes were extremely opened and impressed by that place up there--it's a mini-city! My experience was absolutely outstanding. They had everything planned out by the hour for me." Sue Stoltenberg, Social Studies teacher, Wausaukee

 "I made a ton of contacts that I can take back, whether we use it for guest speakers coming in, field trips, job shadows . . . just great opportunities." Melissa Braun, Ag. teacher, Shawano
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"It opened my eyes to different careers and things that my students would be capable of and definitely very successful at." Kim Strayer, Special Education teacher, Bonduel