Will Taylor, Reporter
@WT_Courant
From balancing a budget after college to learning how to turn ideas into a profitable business, high school business classes offers students more than just a grade – it provides essential skills for success in the real world, preparing students for the future they want to create. Our society is constantly evolving, and to keep up with these changes, New Canaan High School offers courses that help to equip students for the challenges they will face in the future. These courses cover essential topics such as budgeting, financial planning, interview preparation and creating a business.
In addition to the normal classroom instruction, business classes use current events to create more informed well-rounded students. Mr Devine, math and business teacher, spoke about how he uses real-world issues to help teach his students. “In my class we look at world events, things like the 2008 housing crisis or the Silicon Valley Bank failure to gain a more informed idea on how the market moves and why,” he explained. In addition to Mr Devine’s real-world way of teaching, he also has his students give presentations to the class. “Having students present really fits hand and hand with it being a business class because in business you need to be able to present yourself as well as your ideas to your colleagues and bosses. Having students present to their classmates also creates stakes which pressures students to do their best without me having to be a super strict grader.”
Students interested in business also benefit from occasional visits from industry professionals. Students have the opportunity to hear from successful business leaders, ask questions and learn from their experiences. These interactions give students valuable insights into the industry and help them to better understand the skills and qualities needed for success. “These visits give students real world insights and knowledge from people who have succeeded, and it’s information you can’t get anywhere else” Said Aidan Taylor, founder of New Canaan Entrepreneurship Association.
Business classes encourage collaborative learning, which allows students to learn from each other’s ideas and perspectives. Many courses involve group projects and discussions which help students to develop teamwork and communication skills. This expertise is crucial in the business world, where success often depends on collaboration and connections. “Another educational aspect is the fact that students are constantly learning from each other. Students love to talk about their possible future careers and business ideas they have. Now, that in itself is helpful, but then you also add twenty other kids who are sharing passions and ideas as well, and it creates an extremely educational environment.” Mr Devine said.
One of Mr. Devine’s students, sophomore Faizal Hussain agrees saying, “I think that it’s a great class and it really allows you to think about money in a new way and allows you to explore the endless possibilities for career paths.”
