“Thank you for an amazing experience of learning and sharing passions, a plethora of resources, and opportunities to learn as a student, and then incorporate these for possible integration into lesson planning for our students. I feel as if we are receiving a great gift that we can pay forward.”
“The gift of an entrepreneurial mindset could be life saving for [disenfranchised] populations. They desperately want to support their families but are not being taught that they have other options. They need to hear about the freedom of entrepreneurship to give them hope. Thank you for equipping me.”
“The resources provided were amazing and can easily be adapted to any student level in a variety of subjects. Our ability to collaborate with such diverse educators throughout the Commonwealth was priceless. What an amazing opportunity to learn from colleagues each class via breakout rooms. Thank You for this life-changing educational opportunity.”
“This class provided a wealth of information about how the entrepreneur mindset can be used in every subject taught and how it will benefit students in life overall, even if they are not interested in being an entrepreneur. These are real life skills and that is what I want to bring into every class I teach.”
“I want to thank you and let you know how appreciative I am for having the opportunity to attend your Entrepreneurial class. Since my enrollment into your class, my mind has been racing – ‘how to become a millionaire.’ Because of your class, I am no longer just a thinker/slacker. This morning, on FM 95.7 The Beat – Tampa, FL, the Talk Show hosted Kevin O’Leary, ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ from the TV show, Shark Tank. His episode talked about Pivoting and knowing when to Pivot. As you can see, I immediately thought of you and the lessons learned in your class. Thank you for lighting the fire!”
View More TestimonialsEntrepreneurship is an excellent multidisciplinary, real-world context for teaching literacy, basic skills, and HSE/GED academic subjects (English, math, social studies, science) while simultaneously developing workforce-based skills. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset (opportunity recognition, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovation, adaptability, initiative, collaboration, etc.) prepares individuals to also become better employees in any career field (intrapreneurship) and solve community problems (social entrepreneurship). Entrepreneurship also seamlessly integrates across workforce development programs and optimizes engagement by unleashing individual potential to pursue unique interests, hobbies, and passions in the new Innovation/Gig Economy. Self-employment is a real “game- changer” for disenfranchised individuals living in impoverished areas because it offers freedom, hope, and empowerment via more personally fulfilling career options while capitalizing on and affirming existing skills and talents. Important life skills are also developed (intrinsic motivation, growth mindset, resourcefulness, resiliency, calculated risk-taking, agency, etc.) by starting simple “side hustles” requiring minimal start-up costs to earn additional income that may lead to full-time careers.
The overarching goal of this field-tested Institute is to streamline adult educators and service providers’ learning of basic entrepreneurship content and peda/andragogy by reviewing real-world instructional resources (400+ free, online resources including news articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, textbooks, lessons, PPT slides, test bank, etc.). The Institute content is extremely flexible and accessible to a variety of adult programs and easily customizable to organizational missions and target populations. Online modules are mostly self-paced and live Zoom classes feature introductions to supportive community resources, grassroots entrepreneurs who share “lessons learned,” and breakout groups for WIOA and cross-state/agency collaboration, resource sharing, and planning. Practical module assignments result in a collection of lessons and workforce- based activities (Part A) and a business plan first draft (Part B) to inspire creative strategies for high quality education and employment outcomes. COABE Entrepreneurship Educator Certification, Certificate of Completion, and Digital Badge included. Participants may complete both Part A and Part B in any order for COABE Certification or just complete either Part for professional development hours.
Congratulations to cohort #1 of the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute!
Name |
Program |
State |
Aleathia Adams |
YWCA National Capital Area |
District of Columbia |
Maria Camacho |
Fontana Unified School District |
California |
Judith Quon |
Fontana Unified School District |
California |
Ander Thebaud |
RSU 24 Adult Education |
Maine |
Christina Mendoza-Hernandez |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
Florida |
Dannetta Rivers |
Beaufort County School District |
South Carolina |
David Harris |
Manatee Technical College |
Florida |
Debra Brown |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
Florida |
Don Curtis |
Oakland Adult and Career Education |
California |
Ginette Chandler |
Second Start |
New Hampshire |
Lori Greene |
Coastal Carolina Community College |
North Carolina |
Jessica Herrera |
BakerRipley |
Texas |
Jami Kritzeck |
St. Croix River Education District |
Minnesota |
Jordan Reaves |
Community College Preparatory Academy |
District of Columbia |
Juanita Murrell |
Beaufort Adult education |
South Carolina |
Jessica Untch |
Cuyahoga County Public Library |
Ohio |
Kim Jones |
Oakland Adult and Career Education |
California |
Laura Moyer |
Metro North ABE/Columbia Heights, Fridley |
Minnesota |
Laura Jacob |
River City Hope Street Adult Education |
Texas |
Lauren Reid |
Dewey Academy |
California |
Lionel Bryant |
Workplace Talent Solutions |
Pennsylvania |
Louise Febles |
HCPS |
Florida |
Marilyn DeNeal |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
Florida |
Eugene Mensah |
PWCS Adult Education |
Virginia |
Michael Kinsey |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
Florida |
Mary Penzer |
Region 15 |
Virginia |
Nichole Bennett |
Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education RARAE |
Virginia |
Pelzetta Perry |
West Piedmont Adult Education |
Virginia |
Rania Khalil |
Zaman international |
Michigan |
Robert Lynch |
Tri-Community Adult Education |
California |
Selina Bautista |
Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education |
Virginia |
Susana Gobitas |
Santa Fe College |
Florida |
Paul Sims |
Oklahoma State University |
Oklahoma |
Staci Ross-Morrison |
Dewey Academy |
California |
Michell McKnight |
Dewey Academy/OUSD |
California |
Sylvia Watford |
Virginia Credit Union |
Virginia |
Teresa Osterloo |
Illinois Central College |
Illinois |
Jackie Schulz |
Bamberg/Barnwell Adult Ed |
South Carolina |
Lisa Zoe Willow |
Piedmont Virginia Community College |
Virginia |
October 4 – November 4, 2022
5 Weeks ♦ 25 Hours
5 Zoom Classes on Tues 3-5 ET**
Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, and Nov 1
Types of Entrepreneurship
Workplace Intrapreneurship
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Economic Way of Thinking
Entrepreneur Personal Finance
Entrepreneur Self-Assessment
Opportunity Recognition
Innovation & Design Thinking
Lean Canvas
February 7 – March 17, 2023
6 Weeks ♦ 30 Hours
5 Zoom Classes on Tuesday 3-5 ET
Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 and Mar 7
Business Plan
Marketing
Operations
Management
Start-up Costs
Funding Sources
Financial Statements
Business Structures
Elevator Pitch
*Optional work-ahead reading list and assignment due date extensions available to accommodate participants’ busy schedules.
**Class recordings also available.
$550
for Parts A & B
$275 for Part A or $275 for Part B
QUESTIONS
Dr. Cheryl Ayers ♦ cheryl42@vt.edu
www.econempowerproject.com
Any adult service provider who works in adult education, basic skills, HSE/GED programs, literacy, career coaching, workforce development, employment centers, social services, aging and vocational rehabilitation, benefits/work incentives, disability services, corrections, veterans affairs, American Job Centers, Goodwill Industries, United Way, immigrant services, disenfranchised youth programs (alternative education, juvenile justice, Job Corps, etc.), foster care, substance recovery programs, homelessness aide, community colleges, and other like-minded nonprofit and government organizations.