Business Steps Into Education – How Can YOU Make an Impact?

Are you looking for ways to get involved in the education system around you but you don’t know how to best use your time?

Look at Mike Morath, Part Owner/COO with Minute Menu Systems. He started out as a Member of Leadership Dallas 2009. As part of LD, he was able to see the areas in the community that needed extra resources. Looking to get involved with education, he stepped up to the plate by joining the Chamber’s Principal Executive Partnership program (PEP). Through the program, Mike reached out to Eddie Conger, principal at Thomas Jefferson High School.

His timing could not have been better for meeting up with Mr. Conger. Thomas Jefferson HS is undergoing their High School Redesign efforts, as all Dallas ISD high schools will have to do if they have not already done so. Mike was able to call upon his LD 2009 classmates to join in with these efforts. He contacted Texas Instruments and Atmos Energy. These companies are working with the school to launch an International Business & Service Academy, which is part of Principal Conger's broad vision for revamping the school. Mike noted "it's great to be able to jump in and make an impact. We're helping retool the school to better prepare these kids to work in the 21st century. I wouldn't be surprised to see a graduate of this program ending up as a valuable new team member at my company."

Mike is not the only story we have of companies and individual stepping into roles in education in the community. Over the last two weeks in October, over 20 area companies will flood Dallas ISD middle schools to participate in our Texas Scholars program. The impact? Over 10,000 8th graders in the Dallas area will be dialoguing with business professionals on the importance of graduating, taking rigorous coursework, budgeting, and their future careers. Rob Swift, Vice President with CapitalOne Bank, says of the program, “This is one of our favorite things to do as a company. The teamwork and unity this program fosters between us is unmatched AND we’re getting to talk to students. It’s a win-win.”

To learn more about how your company can make an impact, contact Lindsay Ayers at lmayers@dallaschamber.org.