Institute offered in partnership with

Spring Semester 2025
Online Entrepreneurship Institute
for Middle & High School Teachers

BREAK Feb 24 - Mar 7
Class recordings are available.

Using experiential learning theory and a free field-tested curriculum,
middle and high school teachers simultaneously learn entrepreneurship content and instructional best-practices by reviewing classroom-ready resources and completing Institute assignments that they can turnaround and use with their students with
little to no further preparation. 

Prepare students for the new Innovation & Gig Economy!

The Innovation and Gig Economy requires students to graduate with an entrepreneurial mindset (opportunity recognition, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, initiative, collaboration, etc.) even if they do not start their own business. 40% of Americans have a side hustle and nearly 50% of today’s youth say they intend to start their own business someday. Entrepreneurial skills are an increasingly essential part of workforce development and overlap with the workplace readiness skills employers say they want in new hires in a rapidly changing workplace. Communities also thrive when its members are empowered to become change agents by offering business-centered solutions to unmet community needs.

Moreover, entrepreneurial skills are transferable life skills that are real game-changers for disenfranchised youth living in impoverished areas because they develop intrinsic motivation, growth mindset, resourcefulness, adaptability, resiliency, calculated risk-taking, and agency—to name a few. Even starting simple side hustles requiring minimal start-up costs to earn additional income offers freedom, hope, and empowerment via more personally fulfilling careers while capitalizing on and affirming existing skills and talents.

Highly adaptable and multidisciplinary, entrepreneurship knowledge, skills, and mindsets seamlessly integrate across grades, core academic subjects, and CTE courses so students have the option to own their own business in any career pathway. These skills are also correlated to higher rates of college enrollment, higher earnings, and job satisfaction. Additionally, using entrepreneurship as a real-world instructional context optimizes student engagement and motivation by unleashing students’ potential to pursue their own unique interests, hobbies, and passions in the classroom.

Using experiential learning and a field-tested curriculum, Institute participants simultaneously learn basic entrepreneurship content and instructional best-practices by reviewing classroom-ready resources (news articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, textbooks, lessons, PPT slides, test bank, etc.) and completing assignments that they can turnaround and use with their students with little to no further preparation. Easily customizable, the Institute content is extremely flexible and accessible to middle and high school students using inquiry, performance, and project-based learning objectives. Online modules are self-paced and live Zoom classes feature introductions to supportive community partners, grassroots adult and high school student entrepreneurs who share "lessons learned," and breakout groups for national networking, collaboration, resource sharing, and lesson planning. Practical module assignments result in a collection of co-created lessons (Part A) and a business plan first draft (Part B) to inspire creative strategies for high quality education and self/employment outcomes. 

Entrepreneurship Educator Certification, Curriculum, Certificate of Completion, and Digital Badge included. 

NOTE:  This Institute is aligned with the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination, equipping teachers with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources that they need to prepare high school students to pass the exam.  Details and the free Exam Manual linked here.  

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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHTS
And Institute Guest Speakers

ACTE WEBINAR

In case you missed it, check out this ACTE webinar on the
"Top 10 Reasons to Integrate Entrepreneurship Across CTE Courses & Career Pathways "
by Dr. Cheryl Ayers.

TEACHER COMMENTS

The Entrepreneurship Institute has been the most valuable professional development course I have taken. The wealth of knowledge and resources provided by Dr. Cheryl Ayers have significantly improved my lessons. This course is awesome!

The resources provided were amazing and can easily be adapted to any student level in a variety of subjects.  Our ability to collaborate with such diverse educators throughout the [country] was priceless. What an amazing opportunity to learn from colleagues each class via breakout rooms. Thank You for this life-changing educational opportunity.

This class provided a wealth of information about how the entrepreneurial mindset can be used in every subject taught in school and how it will benefit students in life overall, even if they are not interested in being an entrepreneur. These are real life skills and that is what I want to bring into every class I teach.

Our inspiration for this topic is certainly Dr. Cheryl Ayers. She shared so much energy, passion and commitment to this course and entrepreneurship in general that one could not possibly miss the necessity of teaching and sharing this with students. The speakers she availed to us were one of the highlights for me during this course not to mention the wealth of materials for my own learning but also to pass along and teach to my students.

 I want to thank Dr. Ayers for her engaging methods, guest speakers, and endless resources. I loved being able to engage with educators throughout the state and share our entrepreneurial ideas!

This institute was extremely helpful.  I can tell you I don't know what I would have done without the content from the class. The resources alone are worth your time but when you add in the knowledge from Dr. Ayers and insight from other teachers, it becomes quite the jewel. Thank you very much for the opportunity.

The gift of an entrepreneurial mindset could be life saving for [disenfranchised] populations. They desperately want to support themselves and their families but are not being taught that they have other options. They need to hear about the freedom of entrepreneurship to give them hope. Thank you for equipping me.

Of all the professional development I have attended, Dr. Ayers' is by far the best. Due to the engaging nature of her Institute and her amazing resources, I now feel empowered to share the importance of entrepreneurship with all of my students!

The ability to meet virtually with teachers from all areas of Virginia was not only greatly appreciated but also beneficial for future professional and entrepreneurial networking. Outstanding course!

Dr. Ayers is a fantastic instructor. She knows how to make the class challenging and entertaining, but she is understanding of the needs of teachers taking on these classes with work. I have gained so much knowledge from Dr. Ayers and the rest of the teachers in the institute that I am even more excited to incorporate everything that I have learned.

The Institute truly was more than just professional development. I can honestly say that I would take this again even if it wasn't for recertification points. It was the most useful institute I have taken throughout my 7-year teaching career. Dr. Ayers’ passion and enthusiasm for this subject is contagious and I can't wait to incorporate what I have learned in my classroom.

I would start by asking, "What teacher can afford NOT to take this Institute offering?” Entrepreneurs have been the core of the US economy. This continues even to this day and has even been magnified since the 2008 recession and now COVID 19. Most businesses in the US are small and were started as entrepreneurs. This content, especially the business plan, is critical for teachers to know and bring to students. The business plan needs to be shared with our middle and high school students for awareness, knowledge and inspiration.

No matter what field they go into, students need entrepreneurship education. The many, many free resources that Dr. Ayers offers are invaluable. I highly recommend this Institute to all teachers, no matter the subject they specialize in. Thank you Dr. Ayers for another wonderful experience!

Dr. Ayers’ energy and love for entrepreneurship was evident every Zoom class. I learned just how important it is for EVERYONE to have an entrepreneurial mindset and concrete ways to instill that in my students. I am absolutely confident I can integrate parts of this Institute in every lesson.

I have been teaching business and entrepreneurship courses for 22 years.  This Institute taught by Dr. Ayers is by far the best entrepreneurship resource I have seen and been a part of that addresses the needs of our future entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurial mindset principles can readily be used by students in all aspects of their academic and work careers. Whether or not they go into business for themselves, the principles from this course will help them manage their time and take ownership of their careers and human capital as employees or employers.

The ability to meet virtually with colleagues from all areas was not only greatly appreciated but also beneficial for future professional and entrepreneurial networking. Outstanding course!

Multiple presentations by successful entrepreneurs opened my eyes to the inner workings of businesses. It was invigorating bouncing ideas off one another and getting feedback in real time. Because I was able to talk to and work with everyone in the Institute, I have felt a stronger comradery in this class than I have in any other online course I have ever taken. For the first time, I am sad to see a class ending.

This Institute is a thoroughly engaging community of teacher-learners and is a delightful blend of fun, engaging speakers and challenging activities that put us, as teachers, in the driver's seat. We work through the assignments through the lens of a student, which is great preparation for teaching lessons in our own classes. Getting to work with colleagues has been another avenue to network and share pedagogical strategies. Every teacher should experience this institute!

This institute was such a great opportunity to understand that entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business. Teachers were offered a plethora of resources, collaboration experiences with other teachers, and hands-on practice. Of course the most dynamic component of the course was Dr. Ayers and her enthusiasm for the content that she supported by continued guidance and encouragement to make practical applications for our students.

This Institute has been extremely helpful in my teaching. Not only have I learned a lot, I have taken the information I have learned and created lessons for my classes. The resources provided were awesome. Dr. Ayers provided organized, meaningful lessons; well-structured and relevant. The guest speakers provided real-world application of the topics we were discussing. This is a much-needed professional opportunity for teachers teaching Entrepreneurship or any other class designed to help students find their "niche." Entrepreneurship helps students learn about leadership, perseverance, and work ethic while developing and opening their creative minds. I have enjoyed this Institute and appreciate the time and effort that Dr. Ayers has put into it to make it meaningful and successful.

This is a great course for innovative and practical ideas about how to engage students with projects and skills they can use in school and in life. Entrepreneurship can provide students with the self-confidence and know-how gained from learning the importance of: planning - in detail; time management; foresight; collaboration; resilience; self-confidence; and persistence. This knowledge is relevant to business classes and across other academic courses, I believe. Coming from a career in finance and business, I found that the course provided a fresh perspective to teaching and learning about business. I highly recommend it to teachers interested in providing students with a relevant learning experience they can draw on beyond their school careers.

The Institute is an amazing camaraderie of Educators! I so appreciate the opportunity to interact and share with colleagues all over the world! To be united in the common goal of helping students become financially self-sufficient and empowered human beings, is a true gift! Through our efforts, inspiration, and common vision, we are truly gaining the skills to help lift young people out of poverty with an entrepreneurial mindset! THIS is the way of the future! Everything was EXCELLENT! Dr. Ayers is an incredible facilitator! I am so pleased that I found out about this Institute! I am truly convinced and passionate that this is a curriculum that should be offered in every school in this country! It is practical, REAL-WORLD, ready-to-implement, and hugely significant for anyone that wants to make a change!

Dr. Ayers has a very approachable style and is very dedicated and inspiring as an instructor. She has a wealth of information to share and has found engaging and dynamic tools to do so. The material is incredibly interesting and helps me get excited about delivering to my students.

I valued gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur. As an educator, this allowed me to refine my curriculum, projects, and activities to foster the competencies and skills necessary for this purpose. I appreciated the diverse range of materials, resources, and special guests, as well as the guidance, mentorship, motivation, and encouragement provided by our leader and teacher, Dr. Ayers.  Thank you, Dr. Ayers, for providing us with the opportunity to empower ourselves and others. Your profound influence and extensive reach have invaluable implications for countless lives. Once again, thank you for organizing this Institute!

I really liked how the information can be adapted for our students.  The lesson plans and guest speakers were very valuable to teaching my future students.  I liked how we made time to be a student and see from their perspective the tasks that we ask them to do.

The institute proved to be an invaluable resource, offering a wealth of information and resources tailored for classroom use. The breakout sessions were particularly beneficial as they facilitated meaningful interactions with fellow educators, providing insights into various approaches for integrating the provided information effectively into classroom settings. These sessions not only allowed for collaborative discussions but also offered a glimpse into the diverse ways in which educators were planning to utilize or had already implemented the shared knowledge within their own teaching environments. Integrating entrepreneurship education alongside academic content not only enriches classroom learning but also equips students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.  Overall, the institute fostered a supportive learning community where educators could exchange ideas and strategies, enriching their professional practice.  Zoom classes offered a platform for meaningful discussions on implementing the material in our respective classrooms or sharing insights on how we already integrate similar content into our teaching practices. The exchange of ideas among peers fostered a collaborative environment, enriching our understanding and providing diverse perspectives on effective teaching methodologies.

I thought the templates for parts of the decision-making process were very helpful.  As someone who is attempting to start an entrepreneurship program, I have a lot of ideas, but limited time to create things on my own.  The access to materials has been awesome.  I also liked the breakout rooms during the Zoom sessions.  It was good to hear stories from people who have already been teaching entrepreneurship.

I really enjoyed the Zoom classes, break-out sessions, discussions/replies, working through the different forms/questions given throughout the program. Dr. Ayers is a phenomenal instructor, giving many examples, experiences, etc. that I can relate to, helping me understand the content I'm trying to learn. She clearly understands that individuals learn at different paces and in different ways. She expertly weaved all the different elements to help me learn the content. I have always struggled with coming up with those questions that really get my students to think critically and be problem solvers. Dr. Ayers is an inspiration to me to embrace being a continuous learner! Thank you!

I really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the professor and the content covered. I have never studied entrepreneurship before and was relieved by the way that the professor made the content relatable. I am truly excited about entrepreneurship and am now starting to see the world in a different light.

Participating in this Entre Mindset class has been a highlight of my school year.  I would have been unable to attend were it not for funding made available for Virginia educators, so I am very grateful to those who sponsor this program.  I truly enjoyed having Dr Ayers as a teacher.  She is both knowledgeable of the subject matter and passionate about sharing it with others. I feel that the way she combined the more theoretical, book-learning content with guest presenters who are living the entrepreneurial life provided the perfect mix of opportunities for us to understand different aspects of entrepreneurship.  I also appreciated the online, synchronous format of the class which enabled us to learn with and from those who live in different areas and work in different ages and stages of education.  Those different perspectives are useful in honing our craft.  Overall, this was a very positive experience for me. I plan to pay it forward by sharing what I have learned with my students, knowing that for some of them it will be truly life-changing.

This course provided an excellent framework for how to integrate entrepreneurship into classrooms of all types. The class did an amazing job of providing tools and exercises we can implement into our classwork tomorrow to let our students think creatively about business and their futures.  The class also highlighted wonderful guest speakers which showcase the amazing talent, resourcefulness, and out of the box thinking that's needed for entrepreneurs.  The variety of examples and discussions from the guest speakers again highlights the wide applicability of this course.  There's something for everyone, which is exactly what we want our students to learn and practice.  I'd also like to share my thanks to Ms. Ayers who always went out of her way to make sure we understood the course content and expectations.  She made the coursework manageable for all of us tired teachers to really be able to enjoy the class and its content.

Such a wealth of RESOURCES to use in the classroom! WOW! I really enjoyed all of the guest speakers and inspirational success stories!  Dr. Ayers, THANK YOU for this experience! WOW! One of the BEST Institutes that I have participated in! Your energy, enthusiasm, and passion for entrepreneurship is contagious!

I enjoyed learning about the entrepreneur mindset and how the tools that it teaches can and should be applied to all facets of life and learning. The key components of the entrepreneur mindset can assist all individuals, whether they become an entrepreneur or not, to achieve success in life - both professional and personally - by adhering to the entrepreneur mindset attributes and key components to assist in making many of life's decisions.  Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge, expertise and resources.  Much Appreciated!!

Overall, this class stands out as one of the finest online courses I've ever taken! Your passion for entrepreneurship is truly inspiring, Dr. Ayers, and I'm excited to impart the knowledge I've gained here to my students. Thank you so much.  Dr. Ayers is an exceptional instructor, and I deeply value her enthusiasm, dedication, and tireless efforts to introduce entrepreneurship into high schools across Virginia and the United States.  

Dr. Ayers is an amazing professor and her kindness and flexibility with teachers to ensure we had sufficient time to go over materials and turn in work was greatly appreciated. As working teachers (many of us whom have a second job) finding the time to commit to our own self-improvement and professional development through courses like this is a huge undertaking. I at least couldn't have completed it without the support and understanding of Dr. Ayers. I appreciate her pushing entrepreneurship at the state and national level to allow for tangible results with our students and making an impact on our future.

What I found valuable about the institute was the fun and engaging atmosphere with the interesting topic of entrepreneurship. Each week, your presentation of the information gave lots of opportunities to ask questions and discuss real life examples which we could bring back to our classrooms.  This is a very practical course for [teachers] to learn both professionally and personally.  I found the live zoom classes helpful as I could bounce ideas off of other colleagues pertaining to my project as well as give feedback on their work in the breakout rooms.  The guest speakers were amazing as well.  Very well done class!  Thank you for offering this class, I really looked forward to it each and every week! I certainly hope that you are able to offer other classes in the future that pertain to other subject matters as well.  I am very thankful for passionate professors like you and appreciated your teaching style and caring disposition.

Dr. Ayers, thank you for your time and dedication to entrepreneurship.  You are making a difference in the world by teaching us how to teach our kids how to navigate this new economy.  I appreciate your attention to detail and passion for this topic!  Thank you for an enjoyable course.  You surely changed my trajectory along with those students who will now learn from me.  Thank you!

Dr. Ayers has very thoughtfully created a course that leads educators step-by-step through the processes of starting a business.  This hands-on approach gives attendees insight into best practices for teaching their own students how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.  Not only did she teach us the concepts, she also provided a myriad of great resources for use in our own classrooms.  The certification I received represents time well spent in personal development as well as future benefits to the students I teach.

I thoroughly enjoyed several aspects of the Entrepreneurship Institute's professional development program. Firstly, the resources provided were incredibly valuable. From curated reading materials to online resources, websites, and worksheets, the program offered a wealth of information to enhance my teacher toolbox.  One highlight was the opportunity for collaboration with other teachers across Virginia who share a passion for entrepreneurship education.  Engaging in discussions, sharing best practices, and brainstorming ideas with peers from diverse backgrounds enriched my learning experience and provided valuable insights into implementing effective strategies in the classroom.  Moreover, the program's emphasis on continuing my own business education was particularly beneficial.  Through guest speakers, resources, videos, and access to industry experts, I was able to deepen my knowledge and stay updated on the latest trends and practices in entrepreneurship.  This not only enhanced my teaching capabilities but also empowered me to further develop my own entrepreneurial ventures.  Overall, the Entrepreneurship Institute professional development not only equipped me with practical resources and strategies but also fostered a supportive community of educators committed to promoting entrepreneurial skills among students.

The institute was an invaluable resource for my upcoming entrepreneurship class. It provided a wealth of knowledge and practical insights that I can incorporate into my curriculum. Additionally, it was wonderful to hear ideas from other class members about their approaches in the classroom. Listening to how they utilize these concepts with their students, as well as their plans for implementing the new strategies we learned, was incredibly inspiring. This exchange of ideas not only enriched my understanding but also equipped me with diverse methods to engage and motivate my students effectively.

The resources, networking, and knowledge gained from this course, Part A and B, has been tremendously helpful. This institute helped me lead my Marketing Education students as they successfully applied for and was presented a grant to enhance the offerings of the course. The students were able to secure over $5,000.00. I attribute much of what I learned from the Institute, led by Dr. Ayers, to my ability to support my students through the process.  Also, because of this course, my students in Entrepreneurship Education, now have a Shark Tank competition, and the finals for it are next week. Every student participated, and they even created their own webpages to enhance their pitches and business model plan.  This course, and especially Dr. Ayers’ style of leadership, as given me the confidence I need to expand the programming I offer. This summer, I am collaborating with other departments to enhance the School Based Enterprise students created and pitched to district leadership. Without Dr. Ayers’ Institutes, and the experiences she provided, I know I would not have had the resources and networking opportunities that improved my skills, knowledge, and confidence, which in turn enabled me to better support my students' goals.  If Dr. Ayers would let me, I would complete this Institute every three years. She ensures the content remains relevant to the times, updates her resources, and guest speakers are always showing educators new concepts and ways to integrate technology to benefit our students. It is very clear how much effort Dr. Ayers puts into the Institute, one that literally keeps educators coming back.

I really enjoyed the connections that I made with other [teachers].  Also, it was extremely helpful to complete a business plan and sit in the shoes of your students.  We teach things but need to connect with others like we did in this institute to refine and improve through collaboration with peers.  Thank you for having me in the class.  It was extremely valuable.  Professor Ayers went out of her way to encourage and offer opportunities for her students.  She was professional and supportive and really modeled best practices for teaching this subject.

One of the most valuable parts of the Institute was Dr. Ayers sharing her knowledge of how people learn. Whenever she introduced a concept, she emphasized the importance of helping students make connections between this unfamiliar concept with a familiar one. In this way, Dr. Ayers' classroom experience really helps her deliver this content in a meaningful and useful way. My other favorite part of the institute was the guest speakers. It was so great to learn from people of all ages who are business owners. The speakers were truly inspiring and made me realize the importance of guest speakers for my own classes.

I love all of the examples you give and model for us to use in our own classrooms.  That is very helpful!  Also, the good resources are appreciated.  Having us go through the process that the students would is incredibly helpful.  Thank you for all of your time, energy and resources!  I really appreciate your insight and how you ran the program. 

This Entrepreneurship Institute was invaluable to me as a high school business teacher. It provided a plethora of materials for me to take back to my students, excellent guest speakers each week, and a community of like-minded teachers looking for ways to improve and expand a cross-curricular business education. While I focus on business as my daily job, what was so clear in this institute is the wide breadth and variety of business opportunities available in any aspect of education. Weekly guest speakers spanned a variety of industries, locations, sizes, demographics of owners and customers, etc. Anyone can be an entrepreneur and bring value to their own lives, own companies, or existing companies and fields. Working in my schools with many economically disadvantaged students and/or first generation or new immigrants, the lessons learned in this institute are directly and immediately applicable to my teaching these wonderful students. The American dream is alive and well if we can help it flourish within our students.

I appreciated the feedback from other teachers/fellow students as well as Dr. Ayers. I think it is most beneficial if parts A & B are taken together. Our activities helped me formulate my thoughts on a global scale about entrepreneurship as well as hash out the details on a business plan. Using that example with my students will be so beneficial. The resources Dr. Ayers provides cover so many essential areas of entrepreneurship. They are a treasure trove!  Thank you. I have so enjoyed this course and experience!