An entrepreneurial spirit has swept through Judith Lowe's classroom,as students learn what it takes to become a business owner.
by Maria Spitale-Leisk, NVSD Communications
Canyon Heights students are getting a jump-start on their
careers.
You have a guaranteed job if Judith Lowe is your teacher, no
matter if you are a primary or intermediate student at the school.
βI feel the more experiences students engage in that mimic real
life, and that give them opportunities to be responsible for their learning β
the better,β says Lowe, currently a Grade 7 teacher and vice principal at Canyon
Heights.
Students take the normal steps toward employment: submitting a
job application, resume, cover letter, and references.
Working from sample letters and resumes, students outline their
work and volunteer experience, chores at home, and extracurricular activities.
βOn one resume this year, a student listed a volunteer
experience of collecting day-old bread from a popular bakery and then
delivering it to a facility which supports the homeless in Vancouver,β reveals
Lowe.
Later comes some interview role-play directed by Ms. Lowe and a
colleague.
βWe discuss how they have roughly 30 seconds to make a good
first impression, and then proceed to discuss how they can set themselves up
for success,β explains Lowe.
Each student interviews for a classroom job of their choosing,
including door monitor, audio-visual technician, handout monitor, recycling
monitor β and lighting engineer.
Undergoing a two-week probationary period, while working for a
reduced salary, is the first employment test.
Once probation is over, Lowe meets with each student to talk
about their work ethic β discussions that might result in reassignment or
another probationary period.
Students are paid bi-monthly and are expected to calculate
income tax on their earnings, pay rent, and keep a bank account of deposits and
withdrawals. They can use their salary to purchase additional pencils or rent
supplies.
In the new year, Loweβs students develop an entrepreneurial
spirit. They create a business idea, present the proposal at a symposium,
survey their peers to see if it is viable β and then go through the process of
applying for a licence.
One standout entrepreneur, says Lowe, sold themed slime to his
classmates several times over, thanks to his marketing techniques.
Valentine's Day
saw students scooping up pink, sparkly slime packaged in pink boxes with heart stickers and curly
ribbon.
On St. Patrick's Day, the student peddled green slime while wearing a matching
top hat.
Meticulous bookkeeping comes with the territory of being a
business owner. Students learn how to keep track of their costs, their sales
and their overall earnings.
Students might also
submit an overall income tax report at the end of the year.
βCareer education in my class encompasses literacy, numeracy in
general, financial literacy and social-emotional learning in ways that engage
the students without them realizing the lessons learned β all while having fun
along the way,β say Lowe.