EDU Trending: Student Entrepreneurs
Project-based learning, community service, internships. These are all opportunities (from pre-K to 12) for students to be creative, explore, dare to fail and try again, problem-solve, and experience the confidence and thrill of developing something that is uniquely their own. Learning by doing has gained a more prominent role in pedagogy because it makes students happy. Happy students, better results. No news here.
What is news and has been quietly trending for some time is student entrepreneurship. Most often non-profit organizations whose purpose is training and business plan development form a partnership with schools interested in such programs. With teachers to facilitate, students acquire the personal and professional skills they need to start a business, realize a dream, and contribute to society. Key requirements: collaboration, dedication, passion, and positivity.
There is nothing more empowering for the students or more affirming for our collective future. What follows are briefs about two of the most highly regarded organizations in this field and two of their amazing student entrepreneurs:
In 1987 a south Bronx high school teacher founded the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE),
a non-profit focused on helping at-risk youth in urban, underserved communities to achieve their dreams.
NFTE provides training and educational resources to students and teachers in the U.S. and around the
world. Check out https://www.nfte.com/ especially the Impact Stories, to get an idea of the personal
and professional success students have achieved. Zoe Damacela, who started her own fashion line, is
an inspiring example https://www.nfte.com/zoes-story/
The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum started an annual National High School Design Competition in 2016. https://www.cooperhewitt.org/design-competition-design-challenge/ Students are challenged to design a program or product that will benefit people in the U.S. and/or globally. This year’s mandate was to foster a more peaceful and just world. Finalist Sohan Chunduru created Whale Tales, an app that “allows children around the world to connect,” learn about each other’s culture, develop empathy, and to collaboratively tell stories digitally. How good is this? Watch Sohan and all the finalists present their wonderful idea on the above site!
News and Views: Hope Is Meeting in the Middle
Here is the truth: Culture war opponents have become so entrenched in their views and demands that
they have given rise to an unlikely alliance: Parents and educators - on the left and the right - who want a
more moderate, tempered, age-appropriate, and common sense approach to their children’s education.
These adults are no longer willing to dig in their heels about being pro-this or anti-that, arguing about
who or what is right and who or what is wrong.
They have had enough of propaganda, whatever their political affiliation. They are looking for mutual respect, common educational ground, and a sensible way to move forward for the sake of their kids. https://www.deseret.com/2022/11/3/23413478/culture-war-public-schools-book-banning-gender-ideology
For similar reasons, the idea of a required high school course about “inclusive ethnic studies” is emerging. Proponents believe that a) diversity is our national identity and b) if students understand our many cultures and histories, they will more empathetically come together as Americans. The key word is inclusive because critical ethnic studies may continue to use the lens of colonialism and oppression.
The potential dichotomy suggests that the road ahead will be littered with obstacles. Yet, the fact that some parents and educators have the willingness and honest intention to be meet somewhere in the middle and be more accepting and inclusive is cause for celebration and hope. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2022/11/07/why_we_need_inclusive_ethnic_studies_110785.html?utm_source=rced-today-auto&utm_medium=email&u
You Just Can’t Make This Up: “Chief Twit”
At the beginning of October, Elon Musk finally did what the courts were about to force him to do: He completed his purchase of Twitter.
He immediately announced that in the interests of freedom of speech, he intended to restore a balance of political views on Twitter (including perhaps reinstatement of former President Trump’s account), and to role model the same goal for D.C. by supporting only Republican candidates in the mid-terms:
Would he flip-flop and vote for Democrats if they were out of power? Does he actually believe that he has the clout to influence anybody’s vote? The only thing he can know for sure is that if he continues to wade in the culture wars and publicize his political stances on Twitter, he will ignite explosive reaction – pro and con. Maybe he wants to stir the pot and then enjoy the fallout by watching what others do when the pot boils over. Does Musk perhaps take pleasure in being both voyeur and puppeteer? This may be one explanation for his inexplicable conduct during his first two weeks on the job.
Week One: Musk fired all of his executives, including Twitter’s Board of Directors, leaving himself as sole director and CEO. He rejected the title, preferring to anoint himself Chief Twit.
Week Two: Half of Twitter’s employees were fired with no organizational hierarchy or priority plan in place. Immediately, confusion and chaos ensued, work ground to a halt, and Musk advisors tried to rehire some key people.
It appears that the boiling pot is now spattering Musk. Will it scald Twitter as well? “Double, double toil and trouble…” This is the kind of funny that makes you grimace instead of laugh.
Could it be that the self-named Chief Twit is exactly that?
Note: According to several dictionaries, the noun ‘twit’ has numerous meanings. You decide.
Update: November 18, 2022, 11:40am EST. This morning, among rumors of Twitter’s demise, and memes of tombstones, the company issued a memo advising any remaining staff that Twitter offices will be immediately closed until Monday, November 21. November 20, 200. Musk restored Trump’s Twitter account. Stay tuned. Or tune out.
Question of the Day: Twitter’s Second Language
After Elon Musk, the second largest investor in Twitter comes from which country:
China
India
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
For the answer, please go to “The Dogwood Tree” at https://www.merleschell.com/reflections
From Me to You: When Courage Meets Kindness
This is the true story of a young boy who learned that the courage to try, to go for what you want can inspire validation and encouragement from a kind and wise stranger. Originally posted in LinkedIn, what follows is a summary of the article that appeared last month in Inc.com as reported by: https://www.brickfanatics.com/vp-of-lego-uk-makes-seven-year-old-kids-day/
Seven-year-old Thomas told his mother that when he grows up he wants either to run a dog hotel or be a Lego designer. To help him decide, he wrote the best letter he could, including some of his design ideas, and offered his services to Lego. He told them he was only available on weekends and holidays because he is still in school. His mom cautioned that he might not get a reply, but he did.
Along with a Lego kit, Christian Pau, VP/General Manager of UK and Ireland, sent Thomas a hand-written letter. He thanked him for his “fantastic” designs and told Thomas that Lego would love his help, but their design headquarters were too far away in Denmark. He ended by inviting Thomas and his family to visit him for a chat and a tour. In only a few minutes, Pau’s praise, support, and kindness filled this young man with a confidence and pride he will always remember.
This is the holiday season. It is the time of year when the rancor that so often pollutes the air dissipates and gives way to gratitude and joy. It is a time to sit around a table, tell stories, laugh with family and friends, and enjoy eating too much of a delicious meal. Football and an exchange of gifts may also be on the menu.
It is a feel good time when our number one priority is to make someone else happy, which, of course, makes us happy. It is what together means. It is a trip back to the Norman Rockwell era of straight- forward family values when we knew exactly what kind of people we wanted to be. We should make this trip more often because we can still be those people. Christian Pau knows this.
Last year for the holidays, my son bought a Lego set that includes a city home and some stores. He said it would be fun to work on together. He is right. Sometimes after our weekly Friday night dinner, we take out the guide book and get to work. I hunt for the pieces, but he actually does the assembly because his eyes and dexterity are much better than mine. There is no pressure. We will finish when we finish, but the project sits in our family room, a reminder of good times shared and more to come. (Photo shows our first efforts.) Happy Thanksgiving!