The Educational Entrepreneur: Making a
Difference. by Donald E. Leisey and
Charles Lavaroni. Edupreneur Press,
$16.95
Here are case studies of 22 former
teachers, including Barbara and Roger
Rossier, who opened businesses related to
education. The USC School of Education bears
the Rossier name, and the former dean of the
school, Guilbert C. Hentschke, wrote the
foreword to this book. Donald E. Leisey, a
member of the school's board of
councilors, and his co-author are founding
members of the International Academy for
Educational Entrepreneurship. The chapter on
the Rossiers, "Enriching Education for
Special Needs Children," outlines the
couple's success. "Energy,
experience, teamwork, drive, nerve and
creativity helped [the Rossiers] become
successful entrepreneurs. What made them
extraordinary was their vision of and passion
for quality in education," write the
authors.
USC Chronicle - Published
for USC Students, Faculty & Staff,
October 15, 2001
"The Educational Entrepreneur:
Making a Difference"
A new book by Donald Leisey and Charles
Lavaroni
By National School Supply and Equipment Association, Ann Wykowski
This book provides a collection of
twenty-two short, interesting biographies
about people who have gone from education to
educational business. Most are pioneers in
their fields and have led the way for many
other successful business people. These
industry leaders are different from others,
in that they have continued with a commitment
to education. Businesses vary from charter
schools to manufacturing of education
supplies. These are people who realize that
entrepreneurs are the key that will lead to a
higher quality of education. Only by
identifying and implementing new approaches
to eduction, can the system be improved.
Few people realize that over 700 billion
dollars is spent annually on education, half
to kindergarten through Gr.12, and half on
higher or alternative education. This book is
not an instructional book on how to become an
entrepreneur, but rather an inspiring book on
people who care about our children's
present and future. The people profiled here
are not folks who ask "How can we make
schools better?" These are the ones who
ask, "How can we improve learning
itself?" By studying how children learn
best, and what stimulates their minds the
most, changes in education are taking place.
Three are varying viewpoints presented on
group versus individual learning, class size,
methodology and curriculums.
Some of the ideas presented hear are
realizing that to go forward in education,
you must begin to challenge traditions, and
challenge the barriers to change. Remember
that, "just because it's always
ALWAYS been done that way," does not
mean that way was successful. Proven
entrepreneurs are marked not just by their
successes, but by realizing their own
limitations, knowing how to encourage
teamwork, and to work within that same team.
Being able to instill a sense of family among
employees, demonstrating that hard work, on
the job training and relying on the support
of others as well as your own strengths are
all marks of a truly successful entrepreneur.
These people had a vision of what a
difference they could make in education, and
have been rewarded for their hard work with
results that peak for themselves.
Are you asking yourself if you want the
freedom to be your own boss? Are you willing
to dedicate yourself to the long hours, not
pay, hard work, and setbacks required to
start your own business? Are you someone who
believes there is a problem with
today's learning techniques, and you
know how to solve it? Perhaps you seek more
personal responsibility, higher monetary
rewards, increased personal satisfaction, and
the chance to work with high quality goals
day after day. Maybe you are an educational
entrepreneur waiting for your chance to get
started. This book is brain food to stimulate
that desire in those of us who meet the
qualifications. The people in this book
understand that children will learn better if
they are motivated and efforts are recognized
with positive reinforcement. Children
identify and want to be with people who
radiate enthusiasm and a strong sense of
dedication. The ability to make learning fun,
will inspire children, positive reinforcement
will motivate them. Our responsibility as
adults in education is to teach children in
such a way that they relish learning and
choose to pursue an education instead of
detesting education and all that goes with
it. Educational entrepreneurs have a deep
appreciation for the rights of individuals to
learn at their own pace, and level, but
because of entrepreneurial ingenuity -
learning becomes a gift, not a chore.
