Allison Gerber, a business teacher at Barron Collier High School, begins each of her classes with the phrase, “Welcome to the Shark Tank.” However, when she first started teaching her Entrepreneurship class three years ago, she felt more like live bait than a seasoned teacher. Despite having 20 years of experience as a financial analyst and controller, Gerber had no experience in entrepreneurship. She was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to grasp the curriculum, and she was unsure of where to find the mentors necessary to guide her students toward success.
Her uncertainty was soon alleviated when she was introduced to Champions For Learning, a critical partner in her entrepreneurship classroom. Champions For Learning connected her with an exceptional network of business leaders within the community who were eager to support her students’ growth and success. These business leaders volunteer as mentors, coaches, and judges in the school’s Entrepreneurship Program, dedicating their time and expertise to working with students who are learning how to transform their ideas into viable business ventures. Champion For Learning helps facilitate the program by recruiting, training, and retaining the volunteer base needed to support educators and students.
Each week, volunteers visit Gerber’s classroom, which follows the Incubator EDU curriculum. The mentors and coaches provide guidance, instruction, and invaluable feedback, helping the students develop their business concepts. At the conclusion of the class, which spans an entire school year, student teams present their pitches to a panel of Champions For Learning volunteer judges at the annual CCPS Innovation Competition. Champions For Learning’s Entrepreneurship volunteers have played an instrumental role in helping Gerber grow as an educator and leader. Thanks to the mentorship and encouragement from these professionals, Gerber has gained the confidence to refine her teaching methods and better support her students’ educational experiences.
“Every Wednesday morning my classroom comes to life when the mentors meet with their teams,” Allison noted, “Listening to and watching these generations come together is a truly magical experience. I have past students come up to me and ask if their mentor is still visiting and if they could come say hello. The impact the mentors make is real and lasting.”
Gerber emphasizes that Champions For Learning plays an essential role in the success of her students and the Entrepreneurship Program. Without the support, she would not be able to teach business to high school students in the way she does today. The partnership between Barron Collier High School and Champions For Learning has proven to be a vital component in providing high school students with the tools and guidance they need to succeed in the business world.
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