08/23/2006
As teachers start writing lesson plans, NFIB's YEF offers entrepreneurship curriculum
CONTACT: Melissa Sharp, (202) 554-9000
WASHINGTON, D.C.--It's that time again: time for teachers to find creative ways to inspire young minds to dream big about what they want to become in the future. Teachers searching for a fun and creative way to teach kids real-world skills can look no further than the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation's Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom curriculum, which teaches students how to turn a hobby into a business. The curriculum is sponsored by Visa USA and the National Education Association has agreed to help promote the program to their 2.8 million members.
Results of a NFIB/Visa USA survey show that while 90 percent of teachers and guidance counselors say their high students have expressed an interest in becoming their own boss, 75 percent think kids don't know where to turn for assistance.
"The NFIB YEF Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom curriculum is the tool teachers can use to fill this void," said Hank Kopcial, executive director of NFIB's Young Entrepreneur Foundation.
The NFIB YEF, in conjunction with George Washington University, created the Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom curriculum to raise awareness among the nation's youth of the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in strengthening America's economy.
The curriculum was created to fit into any classroom setting where a teacher wants to show their students how to transfer the skills learned in the classroom to a profitable business. The curriculum is designed as a three-week supplemental course teaching entrepreneurial skills. Educators may download the cross-curricular supplement at no charge from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Web site for use in their classrooms at www.NFIB.com/YEF.
Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom is composed of three modules, all of which contain teaching notes, overheads, activities, and quizzes.
- Module One examines the definition of entrepreneurship and small business, while providing an overview of the past and present small business environment.
- Module Two delves into the steps and considerations involved with turning an idea into a business: identifying a passion or hobby that can provide a product or service, researching the market, and weighing the risks of starting a small business.
- Module Three explores the nuts and bolts of starting a business: writing a business plan, obtaining funding, and learning about the agencies businesses interact with to become a legitimate entity.
Teachers unfamiliar with the business skills being taught by the program can request a mentor through the Take Time to Teach (T3) mentoring program, which matches an educator with a local NFIB small-business owner to answer questions about entrepreneurship.
"Having a successful small-business owner available as a resource is an excellent opportunity for teachers to take advantage of local small-business experts," Kopcial said.
