Issacson takes part in externship

Jill Isaacson, a math teacher at Stanton Community School in Stanton, is one of 79 teachers across the state participating in the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program. This program provides teachers the opportunity to work at a vast array of local workplaces to gain STEM-related work experiences that can be applied in the classroom.
Issacson said she’s been a teacher in the Southwest Iowa area for more than a decade, and was drawn to the field.
“I have a passion for learning. I have always loved school, so teaching has been my dream since kindergarten. I have been a teacher for 12 years. I started my teaching career at Essex,” Isaacson said. “The relationships I build with my students are what keeps me going day after day and is by far the most rewarding part.”
Issacson said there was a key reason she was drawn to the externships program, and taking part was easy.
“I like having something to do in the summers and learning something new was very enticing to me. The application process was fairly easy. Just be sure to talk with your administrator, as they have to give approval. I was very happy when I found out I had been selected,” stated Isaacson.
Isaacson is working at Green Plains in Shenandoah as a lab assistant in the Clean Sugar Technology department.  This department is revolutionary in that it is the first in the world to produce corn dextrose from a dry mill, rather than a wet mill. One of Isaacson’s duties is checking the pH levels of various samples at timed intervals throughout the day. The location was chosen through Issacson’s own interests.
“The biggest thing I have learned is that corn can be used for so many more things than I originally thought. At Green Plains alone, corn is prepped for ethanol production, animal feed, and corn oil. I am working in the laboratory, so I spend my days testing the byproducts of the corn for quality control. I also help standardize all of the machines to make sure they were working properly,” Isaacson explained.
Issacson added she’s learned much from the experience, and may be able to implement some of what she’s learned into her teaching.
“As a math teacher, it is kind of hard to find a direct correlation between what I have learned in the laboratory and my curriculum. Many of the soft skills needed in this environment are very applicable to my teaching though.”
Issacson said she’s very pleased that she was able to participate, and urges others to seek out the program.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity. As teachers, we are called to model being lifelong learners and this is just one way that I am living out that calling. It is worth the investment.  Not only are you able to learn some new skills and use those to refine your teaching, you also build (or strengthen) your connections/relationships with the businesses in your area. Since it is only a 6 week commitment, you will still get some time off in the summer,” said Isaacson.
As we move through the month of August, Issacson said she’s looking forward to several things.
“I am always excited for school to start. Although this year will be a little different for me, as I am expecting a baby to arrive in October.”
Since its launch in 2009, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education has organized more than 800 teacher externship experiences throughout the state.