Students in one Wyandotte High School business class will experience a different environment this school year.
The first full day of school started today in the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, and one career and technical education business teacher has plans to transform her classroom into a co-working space.
Sheyvette Dinkens, a CTE teacher at Wyandotte, said it would be the first co-working space in a high school in Kansas.
The concept involves turning the classroom into a shared workplace, according to Dinkens.
Shared workplaces are now common, and are especially popular among entrepreneurs, she said.
Some entrepreneurs, instead of spending money on receptionists, utilities, overhead and administrative space, are trying a co-working space with other individuals who are also entrepreneurs, she said. This allows them to pay a reduced price on rent and utilities, with some making a commitment for a month, a half-year, a year or even daily, she said.
They are also able to network with other entrepreneurs and share resources while they’re there, she added.
Dinkens said she will ask the students to design the co-working space in her classroom in a student-led project. They may choose to have flexible seating, tables, bean bags and a variety of seating, she added.
She said she hopes to have an open house with the co-working space on display in December.
A nontraditional teacher, Dinkens, who holds a Master of Business Administration degree, joined the Wyandotte High staff in January. Her background is 15 years in the nonprofit sector, and she founded and ran an agency, Women Empowerment, in the Topeka area for eight years.
She said she and other nontraditional teachers are able to bring their outside experience into the classroom. They are able to help guide students, who are making decisions about their career goals.
Dinkens said she is looking for community partners to contribute to this project and the co-working classroom space. Those who want more information on this project may email [email protected] or call 913-802-3992.