Paris, TN: A project in Teacher Meagan Hart’s Introduction to Business and Marketing Class at EW. Grove provided local physician, Blake Chandler with a chance to give back, and E.W. Grove student, Sarah Thornton, the opportunity to collaborate with someone who has been a part of her life for the past six years.
“When Sarah and Ms. Hart contacted me about the collaboration, I was eager to help in any way I could,” Chandler said. He is with West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic. “I grew up in this community and all three of my children attended E.W. Grove so it was very rewarding for me to be able to give back.”
As part of their Business Organization Unit, students in Hart’s class were asked to profile a local business. These profiles were to include everything from their mission and vision, their history, strength and weaknesses, competition, growth opportunities and more. Students gathered the research by traditional outlets like newspapers, magazines and the Internet, but Hart also had them interview either the owner or an employee from the business to gather additional information.
“When Ms. Hart asked us to select a local business for this project, she told us that she wanted it to be a business that had impacted us in some way or one that we had significant dealings with,” said Thornton, 9th Grader at E.W. Grove School. “I’ve broken a lot of bones and Dr. Chandler has always taken great care of me so choosing West Tennessee Bone & Joint was easy!”
Not only did the interviews allow the students an opportunity to learn more about the business itself but it also gave the students a chance to learn interview etiquette, professionalism and even how to write thank you notes. Additionally, it provided students the opportunity to get to know members of the community and members of the community to get to know the students. The kind of collaboration that you would struggle to find in a large city.
“Our community has blown me away with their willingness to help out with this assignment,” said Hart. “It is the support and generosity of community members like Dr. Chandler that allow me to provide my students with real world, hands on opportunities instead of just your typical, textbook education.”
Photo: Dr. Chandler and Sarah Thornton. (HC Schools photo).