The Business Management and Entrepreneurship Pathway
students begin their exploration using “Xello “ (an engaging college and career
readiness computer program) which allows them to complete inventories, lessons,
and activities and then match students with specific college and career
opportunities and helps them identify what area of business they would be
successful in as a future career.
The students will complete several Business courses for
this pathway: Business Essentials, Entrepreneurship, Communications,
Management, (additional course options are available), and an Applied Business
Development Course which is the capstone course indicating their level of
understanding and ability to implement all skills, theories, and content
culminating with a final hands-on project and simulation. Students will also
have many opportunities to integrate their course knowledge into hands-on, work
experience through shadowing, tours, speakers and even being employed or
volunteering at a local company or organization. Students will also participate
in a professional student organization called Future Business Leaders of
America where they can practice and apply their skills, network with other
students, find future career opportunities, participate in competitions, and
meet with future company managers who hire students.
This
Pathway will allow students to obtain College Credit at Washburn University for
BU101 (3 Credit Hours) for FREE! Many other colleges and universities may also
accept these classes as a substitute for their Introduction to Business course-
a student’s guidance counselor can provide a complete list of post-secondary
institutions.
The
supporting CTSO for the Business Pathway is FBLA. FBLA Future Business
Leaders of America is a nonprofit, international organization that helps
students develop leadership and career skills. FBLA's mission is to prepare
students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society. The
organization has over 250,000 members in the United States and other countries,
and is divided into four divisions.
FBLA's
goals include:
- Developing
competent business leadership
- Building
students' confidence in themselves and their work
- Encouraging
efficient money management
- Promoting
scholarship and school loyalty
- Helping
students set occupational goals
- Fostering
patriotism and preparing students for citizenship
- Facilitating
the transition from school to work
Our Business instructor is Dr. Amy O’Connor. Dr.
O’Connor has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing, Bachelor of
Science in Education in K-9, Master of Science in Management and School
Leadership, Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational
Leadership. She has taught CTE Business Courses in several pathways and
designed Pathways for 7 years at a 6A school, she was also the advisor for FBLA
and PBL (Post-secondary (college) level where students received scholarships
after attending, presenting, and winning awards at National Competitions. Dr.
O’Connor has worked in K-12 education as a teacher (High school and elementary
school), Director (Reading and Math Intervention Curriculum) and Administrator;
she has also worked in for-profit and nonprofit businesses, and was a Professor
of Business. This is her 5th year in Topeka Public Schools
.
