Empowering Students Through Real-World Learning-Global Career Tech Education Ep.53 w/Zachary Johnson In Episode 53 of the Global Career Tech Education Podcast, host Sylvester Chisom interviews Zachary Johnson from North Kansas City School District about Class Act Coffee, an innovative student-run coffee shop. Zachary shares how the program teaches students real-world business skills, from marketing and finance to customer service, while offering dual credit and industry-recognized certifications. The episode highlights the future of CTE, including the integration of AI tools and the importance of experiential learning in preparing students for the workforce.

Topics:

-Leading A Student Managed Off-Site Coffee Shop

-Student-Driven Marketing: Freedom to Experiment

-The Future of CTE: Staying Relevant and Embracing AI

-AI as a Problem-Solving Tool: Empowering Students

-Innovative Assessment: Proving Learning through Real-World Evidence Zachary Johnson Bio:

Zachary Johnson is passionate about real- world experiential learning. He utilizes his experiences previously working in the corporate world and owning his own business to walk alongside students through their learning process. He seeks to assist students in becoming fully prepared for their future whether that be college, trade school or entering the workforce. Zachary currently teaches in the North Kansas City School District facilitating their innovative new student-run and operated coffee shop, Class Act Coffee, that is an off-campus program and fully open to the public He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business-Marketing and a Master's of Arts in Teaching degree both from the University of Central Missouri. This is his second year as a mentor teacher with the Kauffman Foundation Client Connection Project Teacher Network, but has been utilizing real-world projects and business partners for many more.

Outside of the classroom, Zachary enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, hiking, reading, participating in sports, and spending time with friends.

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A Free Career Tech Education Masterclass Here:

https://workwithglobalcte.com/