Sometimes the cultures of business partners and school leaders are as far apart as interplanetary species. This session is for both business partners and academy directors and administrators to help bridge the cultural gap between the two groups to create meaningful interaction. Learn how to navigate through business jargon and “education-speak” to find common ground and goals. Industry leaders will be invited to join ABLC presenters to address topics which may be preventing the academy from benefitting from all industry has to offer.
2. #NAFNext2014
Ann Fields, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Dayl Walker, Connecticut Business & Industry Association
Sonja Brouwers, Clark High School AOF Advisory Board
3. The Languages of Business and Education
Partners Can Be As Far Apart as the Planets
#NAFNext2014
16. • One school contact
• One business contact
• CC all involved people
• Changes – notify immediately
• Timeliness – check emails twice day
Communication
18. Listen, don’t assume.
Business people
• Volunteers
• Work piles up
• Business needs are a priority
Teachers and schools
• Fewer resources
• Older technology
• Little control over schedule
• Teach the children who walk through their doors
Respect
19. • Business volunteers
Show up
Call immediately
• Schools
Be sure students are available
Understand that business needs take precedence
Honor Commitments
20. • Business people may be nervous
• Students greet visitors
• Name tags
• Principal’s role
Feeling Welcome
Sonja – intros, warm up questions – who is in the audience, etc.
Sonja
Sonja:
School and Business Cultures have fundamental differences
From acronyms, to conflicting calendars to the differences between business writing and educational jargon, business and education are worlds apart
Business partners collaborate; teachers rely on themselves – team approach vs. solo mind-set
Sonja: Just like personal relationship building, communication is key to achieving goals.
Sonja: Academy Directors not following through with work-based learning leads – nationally and locally
Sonja: School Site Coordinators not following through with Academy Director procedures
Sonja: Why can’t they understand that we are testing/stuck in the classroom/have limitations
Ann:
School Hours vs. Business Hours
School Year vs. Calendar Year
Business CEO’s Choose Staff; School CEO’s Assigned Staff
Advance Planning Time vs. Bureaucracy/Red Tape
Extended Classroom Experiences
Student Attendance at special events
Administrative/district/school board approvals
Ann tells story of plans gone awry
Ann
Ann: Business ROI
Added Value to Your Brand and Perception in the Community
Benefit to Your Employees
Creation of a More Highly Skilled Workforce
Pipeline for Possible Future Employees
Ann: Educators receive meaningful assistance:
Support for Your Program from Influential Business Leaders
You Provide the Academic Rigor to Students; Business Supplies the Relevance
Unique Opportunities to Enhance Your Program
Expert Advice and Services
Opportunities for Funding
The Power of Networking
Internships!
Ann: Engaged students to college/career ready graduates to successful leaders of the future
Dayl
Dayl
Dayl
Dayl – that’s Aretha Franklin. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, get it? ;-)
