Resources for Educators

Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for startups—it’s a powerful skill set that prepares students for success in any field. RISE (Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs) provides educators with the resources, tools, and community support needed to integrate entrepreneurship into their curriculum, sparking innovation and creativity in the next generation.

Why Teach Entrepreneurship & Innovation?

  • Encourages problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership
  • Fosters creativity and critical thinking
  • Prepares students for real-world challenges and opportunities
  • Equips learners with essential business and financial literacy skills useful in daily life
  • Engages students in content they’re interested in learning – 62% of Gen Z’ers plan to start their own business (source: Forbes, 2024)

RISE Offerings for Educators

CO.STARTERS Generator Entrepreneurship Course

The RISE CO.STARTERS Generator online course is classroom-ready entrepreneurship curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The course includes four modules with engaging videos, activities, and resources you can embed into your classroom.

Learn More

Entrepreneurship Educator Calls

The RISE team hosts virtual meetings, providing a peer learning opportunity for educators who are already teaching entrepreneurship or who want to get started. Please join us for an upcoming call!

Register to Attend

Entrepreneurship Educator Email List

Sign up to join the RISE Eship Education Email List to receive curated resources, success stories and opportunities.

Join the List

Entrepreneurship Workshops for Students

The RISE team offers hands-on entrepreneurship workshops in design thinking, community problem-solving, and business model development. Sessions are available at the SOVA Innovation Hub, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, or in your classroom.

Upcoming RISE Entrepreneurship Educator Calls

    Spring 2025 Calls – Choose the date that is best for you:

    • Monday, March 31, 2025 – 11am-11:30am on Zoom
    • Monday, April 14, 2025 – 3:00-3:30pm on Zoom

    Agenda:

    • Welcome and Introductions – Name and School/Organization
    • Overview of the RISE CO.STARTERS Generator Course
    • Information on the Entrepreneurship Summer Camp at SVHEC
    • Open Discussion – Questions and Insights

    Who Should Attend?

    • Ideal for any educators—whether you teach business and marketing, CTE classes, finance, or language arts.
    • Also open to homeschool parents and youth organization leaders looking to inspire entrepreneurial thinking in students.
    Register to Attend on March 31st
    Register to Attend on April 14th

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      Meet the RISE Student Entrepreneurship Team

      Jocelyn Forest

      Jocelyn Forest

      RISE Entrepreneurship Education Coordinator, Career Tech Academy at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

      Rosa Dunn

      Rosa Dunn

      Director, Career Tech Academy at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

      Lauren Mathena

      Lauren Mathena

      Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement at Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp. (MBC) & SOVA Innovation Hub

      Jacob Dolence

      Jacob Dolence

      Director, Educational Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Longwood University & SEED Innovation Hub and Business Consultant, Longwood SBDC