Learning Beyond the Classroom: Ms. Gaither’s Entrepreneurship Class in 2025

In 2025, Ms. Gaither’s Entrepreneurship class offered students dynamic, real-world learning experiences through impactful field trips and engaging guest speakers. These opportunities allowed students to explore entrepreneurship across industries while learning how leadership, service, and innovation shape successful careers.

Community Leaders and Entrepreneurs in the Classroom

Throughout the year, students welcomed a diverse group of professionals who shared their personal journeys, career insights, and lessons learned. Class speakers included:

• Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, who discussed leadership, accountability, and public service

  
  

• Attorney David Daggett, who provided insight into the legal profession and advocacy

  
  

• Judge Camille Banks Prince, who shared perspective on the justice system, ethics, and decision-making

  
  

• Pastor Sir Walter Mack, who spoke about leadership, proffesional dress, and entrepreneurship; including his business Sir Ties

  
  

• Calvin Young, Lawn Care Specialist, who discussed small business ownership

  
  

• Firefighters from Engine 4, who highlighted teamwork, discipline, and service within emergency response careers

  
  

These conversations helped students understand that entrepreneurship can take many forms—from business ownership to leadership within service-driven professions.

Field Trips That Brought Entrepreneurship to Life

Students also experienced entrepreneurship firsthand through field trips that connected classroom learning to real-world environments. Highlights included visits to:

• Empire Beauty School, where students learned about entrepreneurship within the beauty industry

  
  

• Nattabelles, a local dessert shop, where students explored creative entrepreneurship and hands on learning

• Wake Forest Atrium Health Medical Center, with tours of the Birth Center and Radiology Department, offering insight into healthcare careers, innovation, and operations

• Samaritan Ministries, where students participated in the Give Hope Penny Collection Campaign, learning about social entrepreneurship, compassion, and community impact

  
  

Each experience reinforced core concepts such as leadership, customer service, innovation, and the importance of giving back.

Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders

Through meaningful exposure to professionals and immersive field experiences, Ms. Gaither’s Entrepreneurship class demonstrated that entrepreneurship is not limited to one industry or career path. Students learned that success is built on purpose, problem-solving, service, and community engagement.

These powerful experiences demonstrate how learning beyond the classroom can inspire students to think boldly about their futures and the impact they can make.