Teacher Externship Program Helps Educators Foster Exponential Learning

Capital One associates mentor DISD teachers in technology needed for future workforce

Capital One associates are sharing forward-leaning practices and technology they apply at work with two Dallas ISD teachers from NAF during a two-week immersive program this summer. In turn, the educators can infuse this experience into their teaching to trigger exponential learning amongst their
students. The paid teacher externships run from June 11 through the 22nd on Capital One’s Plano
campus. The NAF IT Academy teachers are from Skyline High School and South Oak Cliff High School.

Through this intensive technology program and its exponential learning, externs are able to “teach the
teachers” since they will then share their learned skills with other educators who can integrate this
knowledge into students’ education, and thus impact more students as a result.

Capital One externs are integrated into cross-functional teams where they participate in a collaborative,
learning environment. Workforce training skills include:
• Agile methodology for project management processes
• Problem solving
• Coding and app development
• Design thinking
• Python programming language
• Marketing

Capital One recruiters also meet with the externs to give them a look at what employers are looking for
in candidates so that educators can help shape curriculum to meet future industry needs. Today,
teachers worked with their Capital One mentors on app development.

“In the classroom while giving a demonstration, it’s important to make sure students are
comprehending the curriculum. This app deals with Multiple Response Strategies (MRS) so that the
presenter uses the app and clicks a button or shakes the device to populate strategies to engage the
audience,” said Darion Walton who teaches Web Technology and Web Design at Skyline High School and
the NAF IT Academy.

One strategy is “turn and talk” so that students discuss the subject matter with other students as well as
the teacher. That way, the teacher can assess if the lesson is being comprehended or if further learning
is needed. “Our objective is for 90-100% of students to retain the information being taught and
understand it well before the bell rings,” he added.

Capital One has enjoyed being a NAF partner for ten years. With the quality education that teachers
provide, educators nurture our future workforce and help prepare youth for success.
“This externship helps me prep students for college and future jobs with the career pathways available
to them that are innovative on what’s trending in the business, especially in IT,” said Euranie Patin, who
teaches Principals of Technology, Digital Media and Web Technology at South Oak Cliff High School
and the NAF IT Academy.

Capital One believes that businesses have an opportunity and responsibility to develop the talent
pipeline for future jobs. This commitment comes to life with Future Edge. In 2015, Capital One launched
Future Edge, an initiative that pledged $150 million over five years to help more Americans get the skills,
tools and resources they need to succeed in the 21st century. As part of this initiative, Future Edge DFW
symbolizes Capital One’s commitment to make Dallas-Fort Worth a destination for top talent, spur growth
as a world-renowned technology hub and nurture leaders of tomorrow.

“The knowledge of workforce digital skills learned through this externship, which I will share with my
students, will help spark their interest in taking more tech classes in high school and in college so that
they can then work in the career of their choice since IT is embedded in all industries,” added Patin.
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure
that high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF works with high need communities
to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific
curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals, culminating in
a paid internship.

“There’s only so much I can teach from a book or video, but real-world experience is the way to get
students really engaged because if you’re excited about something, then students get excited as well.
My externship will increase student interaction by them wanting to do internships after hearing about
my experience. They will see the value,” explained Walton.

He added that sharing his externship experience will also help students take more interest in technology
jobs since they will no longer see these careers as just being about numbers. “I can share with them how
tech helps corporations see what customers want as well as answer their questions and how it helps
with projects. With me sharing the knowledge I’ve learned through this externship, it will open up
students’ minds about their career opportunities in technology.”

NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan
for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance,
hospitality and tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2017-18
school year, more than 100,000 students attended 644 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC
and the US Virgin Islands. In 2017, NAF academies reported 97% of seniors graduated with 90% of
graduates with post-secondary intentions.