Enspire Fall Fest Recap

More than 400 Educators Attend the Sixth Annual Conference

The sixth annual Enspire Conference looked different this year. We missed seeing everyone in person, but we loved being able to connect virtually with so many inspiring speakers and educators. Enspire Fall Fest, sponsored by Burton D. Morgan Foundation, welcomed more than 400 educators from across the United States from October 17th through December 5th. Teachers from public and private schools, school administrators, out of school time program directors, and non-profit professionals throughout the United States – from Hawaii to New Jersey to everywhere in between – were inspired by our wonderful speakers.

Dena Simmons kicked things off in October with an engaging conversation about race and equity in the classroom. In November, an awesome panel of Cleveland professionals and educators discussed how students can build skills for the real world. Heather McGowan delivered a keynote on the future of work and how our students will have more than 17 jobs throughout their careers. Kim Bearden gave a keynote and let a workshop on how educators can inspire students to get things done. Finally, on December 5th, Ashlee Ammons spoke about her entrepreneurial journey and led a workshop on the importance of networking. Most sessions were recorded and can be found on our Enspire Conference YouTube Channel. We highly encourage you to check out the amazing content and share this resource with your colleagues and students.

Other conference highlights included:

• Seeing students pitch their products at the first ever virtual Young Entrepreneur Market.
• Scrappy Hour with Nicole McGee from Upcycle Parts Shop, who led a creativity challenge. Check out one of the creations above.
• Hearing educators share their top resources for distance learning

A huge thank you to Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Nordson Corporation, Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio,  and Bowling Green State University for providing the mini-grant opportunities for educators.

Entrepreneurial Mindset of the Month

Self Awareness: My Entrepreneurial Self Activity

Courtesy of VentureLab
Entrepreneurs begin with what they know and what they see around them. However, as they look outward to identify challenges and opportunities where they can create value for others, they also must look inward. Find activities and learn more about Your Entrepreneurial Self.

Lemonade Day

Order Free Lemonade Day Curriculum or App Access

Lemonade Day is a free, national program that is a fun way to teach students about entrepreneurship and business though the time-honored tradition of starting and operating a lemonade stand. This year, Lemonade Day is offering the My Lemonade Day mobile and web app, which is incredibly easy and can be customized for your class’s needs. Click here to request materials or access the app. Contact Jessica Dragar with questions.

Entrepreneur Competitions

Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge Helps Develop Student Voices and Helps Assess Student Learning

Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge is available this year with enhancements to provide more educator support and a dynamic distance learning experience for those who need it. As in the past, the contest will be open to students in all 21 counties of northeast Ohio in grades K-12. Please complete our classroom registration form. New workshops include Zoom-led sessions for your in-person or remote students and options for professional coaching to help your students. Click here to learn more about prizes, rules, and other information.

Think Big to Win Thousands in Prize Money

Open to all high school students in Northeast Ohio, the Veale thinkBig! Challenge is an online business plan competition offering more than $9,000 in prizes! Semifinalists will be invited to attend an Executive Coaching Day and receive guidance from entrepreneurial professionals in the Cleveland business community. The final four teams will compete live at the thinkBIG! Summit in March. The deadline to apply is December 30. Click here to learn more

No Code Hackathon for Aspiring High School Founders

V.One is hosting a NoCode Hackathon from January 15-18. All Ohio high schoolers are eligible to participate for FREE. In addition to the competition, students will hear from Amanda DoAmaral, Founder of Fiveable, and David Boone, Founder of BlendED, about building a business. All participants are eligible to use the hackathon as evidence of STEM interest for a $1,000 scholarship from the state of Ohio towards Ohio colleges and universities. V.One will also be awarding a $500 prize for a student created app. Click here to learn more and register.

Congratulations, Nell Rapport!

Nell Rapport Wins the Samuel H. Elliott Award for Excellence in Economic Education

Nell Rapport (right), who teaches at Thomas W. Harvey High School, received the Samuel H. Elliott Award during the final session of Enspire on Saturday, December 5th. This award is presented annually by the Harvard School Business Club of Northeastern Ohio to an educator for outstanding accomplishments in developing in young people a better understanding of the free enterprise system and ethical business management.

Nell has 26 years of experience teaching accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, economics, graphic design, and other subjects. Two of her strong beliefs include providing experiential education and aligning youth with mentors. At Thomas W. Harvey High School, Nell has achieved this by incorporating many programs into her curriculum such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Entrepreneurship Education Program (EEP), and Summer Collegiate Business.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Visit a Young Entrepreneur Market from the Comfort of your Home

YEI’s first ever virtual Young Entrepreneur Market features several students with amazing products. From masks to cookie cutters to so much more, you can support local young entrepreneurs here! Want to see their pitches? Click here to learn more about the students’ products.

Entrepreneurial Board Games are Fun for your Class or Family

Interested in a fun game for the family or your students that will engage the entrepreneurial mindset? There are so many great options! See below for just some of the options and what age they are best for.

• Snake Oil – All ages
• Disruptus – Middle school and up
• Silicon Valley Startup – Middle school and up
• MockUps – All ages

Contact Robin Eisen for more information about entrepreneurial board games. Click here for a full list of awesome games!