Unlocking talent-Teachers hold key for entrepreneurialism

We all know that teachers have one of the most crucial roles in society. Educating our young people for the future.

As a business owner and employer who works with all types of schools, it’s fascinating to see the different approaches with different cultures and attitudes within the education space.

The most enterprising, forward thinking, disruptive and dynamic teachers are those who are not afraid to push the boundaries of learning. It becomes infectious! This can have a massive knock on effect for those students who benefit from their willingness to push frontiers and beyond.

With the relentless schedules and workloads teachers have, this can to some, seem like an almost impossible task. However, I have seen teachers who are so dedicated and focused on an exciting new concept or idea that the obstacles they face are simply a minor inconvenience. This is in essence the mind set of an entrepreneur and an innovator.

If barriers exist to new & fresh ideas, created either by an individual themselves or others around them, this stifles innovation and progress, which should always work for the benefit and greater good of the students it intends to target.

There are those students regardless of how they are taught or what new programme they are participating in, will always be self-starters. They will still go out and start their own business or have confidence to go to an employer and say ‘look at me, I can help your business’. That is fantastic.

It’s those students who maybe aren’t too sure of themselves or haven’t identified what capabilities they actually possess. Typically those with lower enterprising behaviour and /or belief. They can be taught to develop these skills and it could be that one spark which potentially changes their mind set, this is where the teacher plays a bigger role and can ultimately effect the rest of their life.

I was a person who, until I studied in America and learnt from some amazing tutors and entrepreneurs, didn’t think that starting a business was even an option to me. It just took that spark.

Those teachers that are ready to create or take on board new ideas need support from their school and colleagues, the local business community, in addition to resources to make things happen. All in order to establish an enterprise culture with all the opportunities that can bring.

Innovative educators shouldn’t be criticized for failure when trying something new, as in the end, failing in the correct way, is a key factor to any long-term sustainable success. How will you ever know unless you give it a try?

Even if some teachers don’t have the support structure required, because of their very nature, I know they will still find a way to make a difference.
It’s a case of trying to help make their lives easier attempting to do something and not just relying on the status quo, in the end our nation’s future depends on it.

By Phil Benson
@philytotheb

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