We are proud of the excellent work our almost 2,500 employees do to make our district exceptional. In order to educate our team about all the unique and vital services provided by our employees, we will highlight Comal ISD team roles in each newsletter. You are encouraged to send your stories and suggestions to
mandy.epley@comalisd.org for roles you wish to see highlighted in future newsletters.
This month we are highlighting the work of our CTE teachers who prepare students for careers in business.
Comal ISD has a strong CTE Curriculum including courses in business skill sets. To be competitive in the global economy, our business teachers prepare students to enter business, industry, and service sectors with world‐class academic, technical, and workplace skills and knowledge. Our teachers provide compelling learning experiences that connect all students to adulthood, and domestic and global labor markets based upon a strong instructional convergence of educational experiences and academic, technical, and employability skills.
Gloria Wolfshohl, SVHS teacher, (Entrepreneurship I, Problems/Solutions Entrepreneurship II - SVHS "The Valley" Student Store, Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance, Professional Communication, Oral Interpretation I, II, III, Director of National Speech & Debate Association & University Interscholastic League) shared a recent experience her students were given where the Smithson Valley High School Entrepreneurship II Problems & Solutions Class, Founders of "The Valley" Student Store received an Invitation to participate in the City-Wide Job Shadow Day, sponsored by the "San Antonio Works" Program and Junior Achievement of South Texas.
Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI), "an independent Texas based investment and insurance brokerage and asset management firm with over $6 billion under management for over 90,000 individuals and business clients, hosted the event."IPI currently manages programs in 132 financial institutions in 25 states and has consistently been recognized as one of San Antonio’s Best Places to Work and one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas."
IPI Executive Management met with The Valley Student Student Store Consultants to discuss business career pursuits and interview strategies. IPC Chairman and Founder,Scott Barnes, President/CEO, Jay McAnelly and Vice President & Regional Director, Chris Van Stavern encouraged students to develop their "Elevator Pitch" for Windows of Networking Opportunity (Employment), to pursue business mentors, the importance of intuition, passion and sense of community service. Debbie Pundt, Chief Operations Officer & Chief of Staff, AVP People Services Manager, Mirabel Perez, and Lynse Salas, Executive Assistant to President & CEO emphasized people skills, excellent customer service, use of a companies website, Virtual Training and employee attitude has influencing company "corporate culture". Suzanne Fancher, Senior Vice President of Operations, discussed customers, investments and sales relationships to include conflict-resolution with clients. Amy Watson, Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing explained the significance of current media technology trends and conventions as a resource to be abreast of current developments and how it is essential to "clients and prospects through direct mail, PR, advertising campaigns and event support". Jocelyn Cates, Internal Sales Associate, interacted with the students with questions and information. Lastly, a unique and special work experience was an Industry Employee Personality Test SVHS students took a week in advance, and used with real interview Personnel Recruiters, who shared how these tests recognize potential employee strengths and attributes of the Advanced Entrepreneurship Management Team.
The attached pictures were taken in the IPI Boardroom where the SVHS Valley Store Representatives met with Executives and Management Team. Mrs. Wolfshohl says "I was very proud of this special team of Rangers."
