The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) was selected to participate in the inaugural Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Showcase. The showcase kicked off the annual KASB convention, an event that brings together hundreds of school leaders from across the state.
“Last year was my first year to manage the annual convention and I thought it was an outstanding event, but we were missing our most important stakeholders, our students,” Ceri Goulter, KASB events and learning manager shared.
Each Kansas school district was invited to feature a unique student-centered program.
The SMSD exhibit featured Real World Learning (RWL) with a focus on Entrepreneurial Experience. The exhibition team included three students Ada Knechtel, Cristian Rangel, and Camera Shelton and their businesses. SMSD business partner, Karla Engel, senior general manager, Oak Park Mall, Tiffany Dixon, SM West business teacher, and Laura Harsch, business to education program officer joined the student team.
Engel recreated the RWL Online Storefront that is currently at Oak Park Mall on the lower level. The RWL Storefront is a tangible space where student entrepreneurs showcase their products, services, and ideas, and offers a real-time platform for practical business exposure. By attracting potential customers and investors, it bridges classroom learning with real-world business.
“This is a perfect example of how community and business partnerships are game changing for our students,” Harsch said.
Dixon explained that while the store opened two years ago, it continues to evolve to include students from all Shawnee Mission schools and all grade levels. What separates this entrepreneurial opportunity is that students have many options for gaining experience. Student business owners may create a business plan in their accounting class or write their business narrative in their English class.
Students brought products and services to share and sell at the KASB showcase.
“As a freshman, having the opportunity to work on my stationery business during school is an incredible opportunity. It allows me to better manage my business especially with the help of my teachers and business professionals who are connected to the school district through RWL,” Ada said.
At Oak Park Mall, Engel encourages innovative thinking by store owners to support student businesses. “We demonstrate to our community there can be collaboration and that education is taking a whole new turn and form. Being able to evolve in the way we educate our students is fantastic,” Engel explained.
Click here to visit the Real World Learning store online.
Real World Learning is an initiative in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation where by 2030 every SMSD student will graduate with a diploma and one Market Value Asset. Market
Value Assets (MVAs) are identified as specific work opportunities or accreditations that
contribute to student success in work and learning beyond graduation. They include; work experience, entrepreneurial experiences, Industry Recognized Credentials, and Dual-College Credit.