Don't know about your school district, but mine has been all about cross-curricular activities: art teachers working with technology instructors (even though we know they don't usually see eye-to-eye), for instance. Andrew Leckey's presentation Monday evening was truly inspirational. Journalism advisers (and English teachers) should be sure to emphasize math skills and perhaps cooperate with their math peers and/or business teachers in cross-curricular activities. Percentages, income, growth rates -- all of these facts should be gathered, analyzed, THOUGHT about and extrapolated.
Even though we try to hide behind ignorance of other disciplines, we can and should learn from our other-disciplined colleagues -- and in so doing, prove to our students that the life skills inherent in our activities are useful and necessary in the real world. Yes, Rudy, you can take these lessons we teach and apply them to real life. You can and should, Rudy, be able to figure out how an investment might capitalize; determine whether business leaders and even city managers are creatively spending -- and/or hiding -- our money.
My son attends Clemson University and the school is inundated with Business majors. My son, too, wanted to pursue that discipline -- but, what a thought? -- he could be a watchdog of the business sector. My son has strong math skills and a good grasp of the world of writing -- what an interesting match.
Even though we try to hide behind ignorance of other disciplines, we can and should learn from our other-disciplined colleagues -- and in so doing, prove to our students that the life skills inherent in our activities are useful and necessary in the real world. Yes, Rudy, you can take these lessons we teach and apply them to real life. You can and should, Rudy, be able to figure out how an investment might capitalize; determine whether business leaders and even city managers are creatively spending -- and/or hiding -- our money.
My son attends Clemson University and the school is inundated with Business majors. My son, too, wanted to pursue that discipline -- but, what a thought? -- he could be a watchdog of the business sector. My son has strong math skills and a good grasp of the world of writing -- what an interesting match.
I was prepared to be confused and dulled by terminology that I really didn't understand when Mr. Leckey spoke this evening. I wasn't prepared to have a thoughtful, insightful, light-bulb moment -- but that's what actually occurred. Well done.
Lynn Dulcie, Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill, S.C.
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I too found Mr. Leckey's speech last night to be insightful and inspiring rather than overly technical as I was expecting. While I think I understand the basics of business and try to keep up with my local, state, and national business news, his comments made me want to take a few business classes so I can better understand what is going on. This knowledge would help me better prepare my personal life and my professional teaching life. Why have I been procrastinating taking these essential classes?! I want to make sure my students cover these business issues more than they have--perhaps I will try to get our business and math departments involved as you suggested.
ReplyDeleteAnna Horton, Highland High School, Gilbert, Ariz.
During Mr. Leckey's presentation, I found myself thinking that the world of business has mastered the art of spin-doctoring. The concept of creating vocabulary to match the needs of their specific, current situation is exactly what we see in all areas of politics and the business world has taken a close examination of their tactics and put them to use.
ReplyDeleteI find myself being grateful for a CPA wife that has the background to understand and the communication skills to interpret and explain what the vocabulary of the business world means. Applying her at-home lessons on business and economics to my classroom has already yielded a number of good stories for our student newspaper.
Last night's speech by Mr. Leckey was one of those ahahhhh moments for me! Not only were his thoughts enlightening, but very entertaining. I enjoyed his style of humor and could relate to his comments of his son using technology to send a picture of himself while skydiving!
ReplyDeleteThere is great emphasis in Career and Technical Education classes across the nation to integrate math and science standards into our curriculum. The concept of using numbers in our reporting is a simple yet obvious answer. Not only do we offer our students with a well rounded education, but as Mr. Leckey said, we quantify our stories.
I know my lesson plans will change to include the business and commercial aspects of my small town.
Denice Westover, Snowflake High School, Snowflake, Arizona