Are you an entrepreneur with a passion for shaping the leaders of tomorrow? Do you possess expertise in areas like leadership, social-emotional competencies, health, finance, or entrepreneurship? You may be missing opportunities to transforming the lives of K-12 students, educators, and parents while increasing your income to ensure sustainability for your business.
In today's educational landscape, schools are increasingly focused on preparing students for success not only in academics, but also in life beyond the classroom. This shift has created a demand for speakers, workshop facilitators, authors, and musicians who can engage students, align with state educational standards, and inspire a love for learning.
As an educational leader who has witnessed the profound impact of guest experts on students, I've seen firsthand how these experiences can ignite a passion for learning in those who may not fit the traditional mold of education. From captivating presentations to interactive workshops, these engagements have the power to shape students' futures in ways we can't even imagine.
Many grade level teams are empowered to implement shared decision making during team meetings and use discretionary funding for field trips and enrichment opportunities with community partners. While the principal may have final approval, the most effective leaders often support what teachers are excited about and build trust by giving them freedom in decision making. Many teachers prefer to bring unique learning experiences to the school rather than going on field trips. They don't have to deal with permission slips, scheduling transportation, finding chaperones, adjusting lunch options, medications, and stress involved with a field trip. So much time is used to plan and go on a field trip for just an hour or two of student engagement. Student behavior management can be more challenging in a new environment that is out of their typical routine. Bus transportation is also very expensive. It can be just as impactful or even more impactful and engaging to students and less stressful for staff, to invite a guest expert to facilitate learning at the school.
What many entrepreneurs may not realize is that schools have funding available to bring in these experts, offering opportunities for both financial compensation and the chance to make a lasting impact on young minds. Some guest experts at schools that I have worked at have charged as much as $1500 for just one hour of their time. I have had coaching roles with budgets around $5,000 for the school year that included the ability to offer training for educators and meaningful learning with community partners.
But it's not just about the money. It's about being a role model and showing students what's possible when they pursue their passions and develop essential life skills. Additionally, if you identify as someone from a non-dominant culture or have faced discrimination as a woman, queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent, or other marginalized identity, you have immense power to help others and increase representation. Imagine if you had learned about entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, or social-emotional skills in school from someone who shared an identity marker with you—how might that have shaped your journey?
By sharing your expertise with K-12 students, you have the opportunity to empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Whether you're teaching them about financial literacy, guiding them through the principles of leadership, or helping them build resilience and emotional intelligence, you are helping to lay the foundation for their future success.
Moreover, there are standards for writing, technology, vocabulary, music, art, math, social-emotional and leadership skills that integrate seamlessly into workshops. If you have existing workshops, they can be adapted for the K-12 audience. Simple adjustments foster engagement and inclusion for all learners, enhancing their educational value and impact. Communicating with educators about which standards the learning is aligned with can be a huge advantage to taking advantage of the opportunities available.
So, if you're an entrepreneur who is eager to make a difference in the lives of young people, consider reaching out to schools in your community to explore opportunities for collaboration. Together, we can ensure that every student has the chance to reach their full potential and become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
If you want help with developing an engaging K-12 learning experience and aligning it to educational standards, sign up for the Teach to Change Workshop Planning virtual event!
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