 |
|
 |
Entrepreneurship
=
education
for
special
needs
students
What
do
reading,
writing
and
job
readiness
have
to
do
with
hot pretzels and high
speed
copies?
At
the
Campus
Store
at
the
Career
&
Technical
School's Albany
campus,
entrepreneurship
equals
education,
for
work
and
life,
for
special
needs
students
in
the
Vocational
Training
and
Transition
(VT&T)
program.
Opened
during
the
fall
of
2000
inside
the
VT&T
classroom,
the
store
has
been
a
hit
with
students
and
staff ever since.
Special needs
students who have worked at the store describe their experiences
as "very cool," "you
get
to
see
different
kids
coming
in
and
see
what
they're
buying," and "my
favorite
job
is
running
the
register,
because
you
learn
about
different
kinds
of
money."
Career & Tech students
patronizing the store have commented:
"It's
a
good
way
to
teach
kids
who
have
disabilities
how
to
work
and
gain
experience.
In
fact,
I
think
the
store
should
be
open
for
more
hours
during
the
day."
Besides
satisfying
their
urge
to
snack,
Career
&
Technical
School
students
and
staff
may
purchase
stamps,
safety glasses and culinary arts uniforms. While working in the
store, Vocational Training & Transition students build
self-confidence
and
communications
skills. One student noted, "I
was
shy
when
I
first
came
to
class
here, but
now
I
like
meeting
the
different
students
who
come
in
to
the
store."
The
Campus
Store
is
part
of
an
overall
entrepreneurship
program
in
the
VT&T
classroom
that
also
features
a
Kinko's
style
copy
center,
bindery,
lamination
and
sign-making services.
VT&T
students
also
work
as
campus couriers.
"Employment
in
the
services
sector
is
a
realistic
and
challenging
goal
for
these
young
people,"
said VT&T teacher Diana Bernard.
"Many
students
have
never
had
the
opportunity
to
be
employed
in
any
kind
of
store.
Here
they
are
learning
about
merchandising
and
inventory,
housekeeping,
running
a
cash
register,
using
appropriate
business
communication
skills,
and
more."
VT&T
students
can
apply
what
they've
learned
in
the
classroom
in
a
sheltered
school
environment,
before
they
go
on
to
work
or
further
schooling
after graduation. Increased
educational
expectations
should
benefit
all
students. Career
& Tech
provides
opportunities
for
each
student
to
achieve
and
succeed
in
school,
at
work,
and
in
life.
[Updated 8/05]
|
|
|
|
