Interview with Diane Lauramoore, 2005 recipient (along with fellow teacher
Donna Martin) of the Leavey Award
Buchholtz High School, Gainesville, Florida
Why do you teach entrepreneurship?
I teach entrepreneurship because the content is relevant and can be made exciting as
students learn the impact of what is going on in the world on a daily basis. The emphasis
is on life-long learning and builds on academic courses such as English, math, economics,
etc. My husband and I owned and operated our own company, Classic
Construction, for over 25 years.
How do you think education in entrepreneurship helps your students?
Projects and activities in entrepreneurship provide an opportunity to develop creativity
and “think outside the box” about career opportunity.
Do you think educating young people in how to start businesses benefits the
rest of society?
Yes, providing students with the option of creating a job only serves to strengthen our
economy. Entrepreneurship and small business ownership have been the major source
of new jobs during this past decade.
What training opportunities have helped you teach entrepreneurship? My educational background in business includes courses in accounting, economics,
business law, marketing and advertising. College in the seventies did not have courses
in entrepreneurship, but my experience with managing a company provided an opportunity
to apply all of these business concepts. My greatest link in entrepreneurship
education training has come from the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. I
became an associate member in 1994 and have attended their annual Forum. This
exposure has provided the opportunity to network with other teachers, learn about educational
resources, and hear professional presentations with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Cathy Ashmore has been my role model and inspiration for many years.
What has been the most satisfying aspect of teaching entrepreneurship?
Empowering my students to utilize their marketing, management and entrepreneurship
concepts to complete successful DECA projects. Observing the success of my students
with the DECA events as they expand their leadership and ability to build partnerships
with the business community.
What materials do you use for your courses?
I teach the upper level (11th and 12 th grades).
Business Ownership used the next text 2006 Marketing Essentials as a resource
guide. This class is mainly project-based and builds on the foundation skills Ms. Martin
(my associate) teaches so well. All students are required to do the DECA 10-page
business plan and Marketing Research Event. For the past two years, the University of
Florida has provided mentors from the Entrepreneur Club to work with students in
developing their business plans. In the spring they hold a special business plan competition
and provide case prizes to the to three students. This class also does the
Junior Achievement Company Program and Titan.
Retail Essentials is a course that focuses on operating and managing our schoolbased
enterprise (recent recipient of DECA’s Gold Level SBE). In addition, students
use software simulations such as the Virtual Business Challenge and Thinking
Economics to prepare for DECA exams. Students at this level also have an opportunity
to earn college credit through an articulation agreement with Santa Fe Community
College by maintaining a 3.0 gpa and showing mastery on the Introduction to Business
test.
How does DECA help you teach entrepreneurship?
When you have 100 motivated students interested in learning by doing . . . DECA provides
the solution. The variety of DECA events enables students to build on their
strengths (working independently or in a team) on a project they can have ownership
in. The resource materials purchased through DECA and the support from the community
willing to serve as mentors continues to open new opportunities for our students.
Was it hard to apply for the Leavey Award? How did it work?
I learned about the Leavey Award at a presentation at the Entrepreneurship Forum.
The application process is straightforward. The documentation for the portfolio must
demonstrate their goal of excellence in teaching free enterprise education. This year
three of the winners were active DECA coordinators.
What kinds of students respond best to entrepreneurship concepts?
All students seem to find a level of success.
What prerequisites do you have for entrepreneurship courses in your school?
Our program is a four-year magnet program—The Academy of Entrepreneurship.
Enrollment is open to all qualified applicants meeting the criteria of grades, attendance
and references. Students must make a commitment to complete all four courses:
Principles of Entrepreneurship, Business Management and Law, Business Ownership,
and Retail Essentials and or on-the-job training.
What advice would you offer a teacher who wants to expand course offering into
this area?
Teachers interested in implementing an entrepreneurship course should attend the fall
Entrepreneurship Education Forum (scholarships are available for teachers). This is a
wonderful way to network with teachers K–college who are teaching entrepreneurship
and also to hear professional presentations. The University of Florida and I will be
doing one on the “Business Plan Competition.”
