The Enterprise - School Connection
One way to think of this project is as a small business incubator for the 21st century, with a particular focus on developing a model that enables young people to envision a future in Maine. Another way to think of it is as a way to connect people who are continuing Maine’s traditions and inventing its future with the students who will continue that work. There are obstacles to starting businesses - and obstacles to getting our best people into teaching. In order to address these obstacles, we’ve developed a unique model of offering businesspeople an opportunity to work with students in an apprentice capacity and teachers with an entrepreneurial bent the opportunity to start and run their own business on site. The business people have a pool of students who can work for them; the students have jobs to keep them engaged and connected after school. The result: happier, more effective teachers, engaged students, and entrepreneurs able to work in a supportive environment where their businesses can thrive.
One way to think of this project is as a small business incubator for the 21st century, with a particular focus on developing a model that enables young people to envision a future in Maine. Another way to think of it is as a way to connect people who are continuing Maine’s traditions and inventing its future with the students who will continue that work. There are obstacles to starting businesses - and obstacles to getting our best people into teaching. In order to address these obstacles, we’ve developed a unique model of offering businesspeople an opportunity to work with students in an apprentice capacity and teachers with an entrepreneurial bent the opportunity to start and run their own business on site. The business people have a pool of students who can work for them; the students have jobs to keep them engaged and connected after school. The result: happier, more effective teachers, engaged students, and entrepreneurs able to work in a supportive environment where their businesses can thrive.
