Brad Ruth, our host for last week's meeting, broadcasting from St. Augustine Florida, shared his mentoring stories with us.  Brad, we thank you for the passion and caring manner you share with local students.   Best wishes to you as you continue serving on the Board of the Stow Schools Foundation.  

 

Brad introduced our speaker, Dan Russo, the current owner of the Tavern of Stow.  Dan, a graduate of Malone University, supports the SMFHS culinary program, as well as many other local causes and events.  AND, Dan is interested in joining our Rotary Club!!!  We gave him a VERY nice Rotary welcome.  Dan introduced Nadia Mullin.  Together, they discussed the EntrepreNew Pathways experience available to junior and senior high school students in our area.

 

Woodridge Local School District, in partnership with the City of Cuyahoga Falls, Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the Six District Educational Compact, launched an innovative entrepreneurship program in October 2019.  The program is housed at Woodridge High School, but it is also open to students from Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent, Stow-Munroe Falls and Tallmadge. “This program is a phenomenal opportunity for students in the Six District Educational Compact to work together and gain first-hand experience developing and operating a business,” said Emily Knight, Entrepreneurship Educator, at Woodridge Local Schools. “They will learn new life skills that will prepare them to succeed in whatever future endeavor they choose.” The entrepreneurial program is an immersive career-technical education program for students who are interested in learning about creating their own business. As part of the program, students will work with the city of Cuyahoga Falls and entrepreneurs throughout Northeast Ohio to create, design, plan and prepare to launch a business. The program will focus on mentorship, grassroots entrepreneurship, trade-based entrepreneurship, resiliency, adaptability and changing workforce needs. 

 

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation is investing $250,000 into the program over the next three years with the Morgan Scout Fund grant. The grant will fund the local program and the creation of a website where content will be open and free for other educators to emulate the program that Woodridge is creating.  Nadia developed the program's curriculum which includes real-world experience, comprehensive two-year programming (juniors and seniors), adaptation skillsets necessary for the constantly shifting variables in the professional world, problem-solving skills, tenacity, and regular meetings with mentors.

 

For additional information visit www.entreprenewedu.com.  We hope teachers and innovators know the difference they make in students' lives.  Thank YOU!