First from our Advanced Entrepreneurship students; one thing they'll always remember from Mr. Jackson
- Don't waste your potential on procrastination
- Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
- Take pride in your own work and take responsibility for your failures as well as your successes.
- The worst they can say is no. Nothing ventured, nothing gained; but you have to make the ask.
- Preparation is key, always read the guidelines and spend your time wisely (OK, that's three)
- Don't be afraid, what's the worst thing that could go wrong? Great things are not achieved without risk.
- Don't be afraid to go outside the box; take the unconventional route.
- I am capable of far more than I originally thought; when I put forth maximum effort, nothing is out of reach. It's all about ME!
- Surround yourself with exceptional people early in the game and then trust those around you.
- When I put my passion and desire into something, it looks, feels and becomes so much more.
- Take the mirror test every night.
2017 Entrepreneurship I Honors, What I've Learned
Not only have I learned these soft skills, but I’ve also taken on a new version of a leadership role. It is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but the one who takes every idea into consideration and does not surround themselves with a bunch of people who just follow the norms of everyday life, also known as “sheep”. But in this class, we do not “breed sheep”, we breed leaders. Andrew Law I realized how much better I have gotten at being able to speak to new people without being terrified. I have gained a lot of public speaking skills in Mr. Jackson’s classes and to me, that is amazing because public speaking used to be a great fear of mine. - Hanna H I have learned that being an entrepreneur is not just a job; It is a mindset that must be developed. . . . . being confident in front of people is a big part of the entrepreneurial mindset. Being an entrepreneur means always chasing new knowledge, and listening to what others have to say, because you can learn something from everybody. - Naomi N If you aren’t willing to leave your comfort zone, make yourself accountable, and accept that impossible isn’t an excuse than entrepreneurship is not for you. But, for those who are willing, the journey is impeccably rewarding and life changing. From day one I have most definitely become not only a better person but a better leader. - Elizabeth T. Although I have only been in Entrepreneurship for one quarter, I believe that I have a new level of self awareness. In these past 10 weeks I have changed as a person, and I think that if you are able to grow as a person, you have done everything in your power to do your best. - Emily C Finding yourself really makes you realize that you can give 100% effort in anything and get an amazing outcome out of it. You do not only learn about becoming a better entrepreneur you also learn how to be successful in your future. I encourage every student to take this course to help you become the most successful you can be and also to find yourself . . . - Daniel R This course isn't about learning how to get an “A” on a test, it's about how to get an “A” in experiences, which helps you learn how to be successful in the game called life. This course has taught me the value of a right mindset. You can either grow or stay the same and it's your choice. This course has helped me grow as a person. . . . .there is no script in entrepreneurship. There is always setbacks in any plan you make, and at any time so you have to be prepared to face the setbacks. You can’t back down, you can only push through. - Taft C This class has helped me understand the true meaning of “closed mouths don't get fed”, meaning that speaking up and fighting for what you think is right is a huge portion of becoming successful in the real world. - Brandon J What I learned from this class about what it takes to be an entrepreneur is the ability to persevere. Out of all the pivots, the hard feelings, the roadblocks, I had no time to stop and feel sorry for myself. . . . no one is going to stop and help you if you don’t take initiative to even ask. - Maya R And then there's The Instructor
[Mr. Jackson] has experience in the business world, so he is a really good person to listen to and learn from. A lot of teachers may know what they’re talking about, but lack the experience in their field. I feel like this experience adds another level in which students like myself can learn from. - Drew W Mr. Jackson has transformed the act of teaching. A value I see reflected in Mr. Jackson is the dislike of mediocrity. Often times people settle for a “good enough” job with their work, but Jackson encourages everyone to do the best they can. This is what makes the class so interesting and is what attracts students to the program. - Jatin S The passion and desire that is evident in your teaching, plus the dedication that you show for DECA and the students in it, allows for students to connect with the club and class on a more personal level. I believe that this class has been a stepping stone for me and my career pathway, so I thank you for your teaching style. - Greg O . . . not a lot of teachers have “real” relationship with their students. Mr Jackson is always there for me and the rest of his students. - Drew O The teaching style, the way to motivate ourselves to strive for the best we can every single day. I wish teachers could see the way you run a class so not only could I experience this cool way of learning, but other students at Apex Friendship High School. Being able to show what we know based off projects, or presentations, not like other teachers where we are powerpointed to death and quizzed on it the following week on a topic afterwards to repeat the process all over again. - Victor P I think that this class has been the most rewarding class I have taken in my high school career. Overall, this class has been such a great idea and I highly encourage many young entrepreneurs should take this class because it can completely change your life. - Mo D, [Mr. Jackson] is not just here to teach us the curriculum but, to help us reach our full potential. That is what makes this teacher so great is that he does not focus on just getting things over with, but loves the struggle and [teaches us the] tenacity to grow. . . . by taking this class I put myself way out of my comfort zone and tried something new that I really love and care about now. - Chris G But the way Mr. Jackson designed this course, you benefit from it in all fields of study. No matter what you’re going to grow up to be, this class will help you - Omar K |
Developing an Entrepreneurial mindset, what School Should Be
I looked forward to entrepreneurship more so than any of my other classes. The free-thinking and creative environment that is fostered in this classroom is unlike anything else I’ve experienced in high school. And towards the end of the semester it’s been amazing seeing all of our hard work come together into a final product that is ready to compete at DECA. . . . that feeling is definitely a result of the teaching style and the collaborative environment that just feels natural. . . I’ll never forget what I learned here. Davis B My experience in entrepreneurship has been an enlightening one. If school were changed to where we make learning about the experience, and the discovery of ourselves, millions of students would wake up everyday looking forward to school. I like how this class enables me to improve skills I would not be able to in other classes. Alex M This isn't sugar coated or taking baby steps; it's getting your hands dirty and getting right to work. And if you fall down you just get back up and keep working. That's what I love about this CTE class. Chris G Unlike other classes, this one creates a sense of responsibility, belonging, and acceptance. Lexie C Entrepreneurship is nothing like my original thoughts were. The real-life experiences that we have taken part in, as well as the job-like work atmosphere that we have been introduced to, allows me to feel as if I am not at school, instead, working on the tasks that I feel I need to improve on. This class is like none other because it is the only class that allows the students to gain experience in and out of the classroom on a weekly basis. Greg O The one thing I like the most about Entrepreneurship is that it’s one of the few classes in a high school environment that makes students think, challenging them to take risks and think outside the box. There’s no constant note-taking and memorization of facts to regurgitate back onto a test before throwing them away until the final exam. This class is a welcome breath of fresh air in an educational environment otherwise devoid of creativity and free-thinking. I like that every day is something different, and that it’s practically a guarantee that walking into this classroom every morning will broaden my horizons and push me to see the world in a way that I had never before considered. Davis B I have a drive to do my very best because we are taking our work and actually competing which is allowing me to learn skills that will assist me in my future career. Although coming to class every day may not be easy, it is fun taking on the challenges and learning new things. Caleb M We don’t just learn the topics, then take a test, and move on to the next topic. We learn about this stuff by experience. We are able to have a more hand on experience and do it ourselves and learn that way, which I think is better. Grayson L When I come across a problem I have never faced, this class taught me to look at the problem as an opportunity rather than a defeat. When I look at things with this positive mindset, it allows me to develop my thoughts in a quicker and deeper way. - Greg O My overall favorite part of this class is that we learned through experience. I’m a strong believer that someone can learn so much more through first hand experiences than through rogue memorization. - Drew W I think that this course is unlike any other offered at the school. I could not recommend it enough, since I think it teaches you concepts that are applicable to life outside of the realm of entrepreneurship. I don’t feel as though I am a better entrepreneur but I do feel as though I have learned skills that will help direct me towards becoming a more successful person. - Jorie F When I came to class everyday I knew that my mental abilities would be tested along with my creative and critical thinking abilities as well. But, when you are doing something you really enjoy it is never really hard, it just gives you even more drive to keep going and create for yourself an extremely unique experience that you cannot replicate in any other class. This class has made a bigger impact on my high school career than any other class I will ever take for the remainder of my junior and senior year. . . . work is no longer hard, it is enjoyable and motivational to keep learning and growing. - Andrew L. I loved how we have coaches that really care about our plans and have invested a large amount of their time into our success. It changes the plan big time because we are no longer in a classroom doing some research project, we are accountable for our own ideas and portfolios of work we present to those around us. I believe that is why Entrepreneurship is so different and important to AFHS, and that's what I love about it. - Elizabeth T |