Meet the 2026 Teacher Externs Exploring Colorado’s Climate-Critical Occupations
The Climate Jobs & the Skilled Trades teacher externship is a powerful collaborative initiative between the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Colorado Energy Office. Designed to bridge the gap between high school classrooms and Colorado’s rapidly growing clean energy economy, this week-long program recently brought together dedicated educators from across the Front Range.
Over the course of five days, these educators dove deep into the state’s Colorado Climate Workforce Analysis and Action Plan. By engaging directly with industry leaders, they explored "climate-critical" occupations across three essential green sectors: geothermal energy, solar power, and residential efficiency & electrification. The program utilized a data-driven, labor market, and skills-first methodology to equip teachers with the tools they need to guide students toward high-quality, high-paying climate jobs.
“All of the experiences were informative and provided information I can bring back to my students — when my perspective is broadened, it allows me to in turn broaden their perspectives.” — Externship Participant
Hands-On Learning with Colorado Clean Energy Partners
Residential Efficiency & Electrification — My Electric Home
My Electric Home is at the forefront of the green transition, providing vital home electrification upgrades to residents across Colorado. To educate the public on the tangible benefits of all-electric, energy-efficient appliances, they utilize an innovative mobile “mini home.”
This custom mini home features a fully integrated rooftop solar panel system that powers a Tesla Powerwall, a SPAN smart panel, an induction stove, and a mini-split heat pump. The externs had the opportunity to interact directly with these technologies to understand how they function in modern homes. The mobile mini home is regularly available for site visits to trade schools, workforce development programs, and community partners.
Special thanks to the African American Trade Association, who hosted the externs during this first industry day and introduced them to their groundbreaking youth training programs in renewable energy.
Geothermal Energy — Dandelion Energy
Dandelion Energy partners directly with US homebuilders to deliver state-of-the-art geothermal HVAC systems, managing everything from design, engineering, and drilling to heat pump installation and clean energy incentive tracking.
The teacher externs spent a full day at a Lennar Community housing development where Dandelion’s systems are actively being installed. The cohort learned the inner workings of internal geothermal heat pump HVAC systems and toured the active drilling, piping, and grouting sites to understand the clean energy installation process from end to end.
Solar Energy — GRID Alternatives
On the final day of the industry tour, the externs joined GRID Alternatives to assist with a commercial-scale rooftop solar installation at the Responsive Arts and STEAM Academy.
Educators learned the logistics behind massive solar engineering designs, experienced the step-by-step process of installing commercial rooftop solar panels, and were introduced to GRID’s highly impactful Installation Basics Training (IBT) Program, which prepares workers for immediate entry into the solar workforce.
Bringing Clean Energy Career Pathways into the Classroom
As a core requirement of the program, all participating educators completed a comprehensive action plan to bring their clean energy insights back to their schools. Each plan included:
One lesson plan tailored to their specific content area.
One work-based learning activity for hands-on student engagement.
One advisory document prepared specifically for their school's career counseling team.
Some of the exciting classroom initiatives developed by the externs include:
Integrating dedicated solar energy units into high school construction courses.
Assigning science students community-based projects to interview local residents about geothermal energy.
Incorporating "green skills" and sustainability directly into core science curricula.
Launching career research projects focused on high-demand career pathways in the skilled trades.
Hosting geothermal and solar industry guest speakers and organizing student site visits.
Increasing student exposure to Registered Apprenticeship career pathways in the skilled trades.
A Diverse Cohort of Colorado Educators
This year's cohort brought together a diverse group of educators cutting across various tenures, school districts, and academic disciplines. Their vibrant questions, eagerness to dive into hands-on labor, and collaborative spirit made the week a massive success.
We want to extend a huge thank you to this incredible group of educators for dedicating a portion of their summer to exploring the future of the skilled trades:
Career and Technical Education (CTE): Skilled Trades, Manufacturing, and Engineering
Margelly Beltran — Cherry Creek School District, Overland High School (Colorado Springs) | Content: CTE Engineering
Herb Beaven — Poudre School District, Fossil Ridge High School (Fort Collins) | Content: CTE Manufacturing, Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering
Lucas Burge — Poudre School District, Rocky Mountain High School (Fort Collins) | Content: CTE Construction Technology, Architecture, Geometry in Construction, Woodworking
Brian Tagle — TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) (Carbondale) | Content: Specialized Day School, Trade school courses for students on active IEPs
Marc Frates — Jeffco Public Schools, Warren Tech | Content: CTE Construction Technology
Jared Kolacz — Jeffco Public Schools, Warren Tech | Content: CTE Construction Technology
James Baumann — District 49, Patriot Applied Learning Campus | Content: CTE Construction Technology
Adam Nelson — School District 27J, Prairie View High School | Content: CTE Construction Technology
Science
Andrea Sutela — Colorado Springs School District 11, William Palmer High School | Content: Biology, Earth Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies
Julie Berkman — Jeffco Public Schools, Evergreen High School | Content: Environmental Science, Biology
Shannan Cloke — Aurora Public Schools, Rangeview High School | Content: Physics, Chemistry
Administration & Career Counseling
Jacinda Lay — Emily Griffith Technical College | Content: Adult Education, Assistant Dean
The Future of Colorado's Green Workforce
By bringing these first-hand industry insights back to the classroom, these educators will play a vital role in connecting interested students to Colorado's booming clean energy workforce.
Join Our Next Cohort!
Are you an educator looking to bring green career pathways to your students? A second teacher externship will take place this fall, specifically designed for rural educators in the Yampa Valley.
Explore information on how teachers can participate in the upcoming fall cohort and help shape the next generation of Colorado's climate workforce.
