By Annette Aucamp & Anna-Carolina Knapp
On October 16, DECA, a program dedicated to introducing students to the world of business, initiated a partnership with Special Day Program 2 (SDP2). This partnership marked a significant step toward inclusivity and skill development for students with disabilities.
The SDP2 program is an integral part of the Special Education program at Granada Hills Charter (GHC). The goal of their program is to provide more opportunities for the students with tailored guidance and exclusive instruction.
Last year, students and staff who take part in the SDP2 program started a coffee cart called Morning Brew for the Crew. Over the past year, their endeavor has grown into a Morning Brew for the Crew Coffee Shop, located in C14. Their coffee shop is open to students Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during zero period and to staff members from zero to second period. The coffee shop also offers delivery services around campus.
Participation in the Morning Brew for the Crew Coffee Shop helps students who participate in the SDP2 program develop skills in reading and functional mathematics as well as working on social skills through customer interactions.
The SDP2 program has further expanded its business instruction with a partnership with DECA, where students from SDP2 were matched with DECA students to guide them through the DECA Virtual Business Challenge (VBC), an online national business simulation competition in which students are taught how to run a virtual restaurant and in which they are judged by profits earned.
“I have enjoyed working together with DECA to learn about coffee and the Knowledge Matters Program,” Shawn, a student in the SDP2 program, said.
DECA is a global high school program that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the fields of marketing, finance, business administration, and hospitality.
As this new partnership is developing, DECA also hopes to achieve “chapter-certification” for the Morning Brew for the Crew enterprise which DECA students will pursue to reach the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) Academy and Competition.
During their first meeting, students from the two programs were paired up to familiarize the students in the SDP2 program with DECA and the VBC simulation. Additionally, students in the SDP2 program were issued official DECA blazers, giving them the same pride DECA students have when they wear the iconic blue jackets.
“I feel confident about the work on the online simulation because it shows the details about the restaurant, and I am learning with the DECA students,” Amir, a student in the SDP2 program, said.
Special education teacher Jozelda Delos Reyes hoped to create an environment where her students could cultivate lifelong skills when she and DECA advisor Andrew Nelson initiated the collaborative effort.
Delos Reyes envisions seeing the SDP2 coffee shop flourish while also supporting her class as they gain knowledge from the DECA students about business and marketing.
“This initiative functions as a powerful equalizer for my students. The fact that they are actively participating and collaborating with DECA students not only grants me a sense of relief but also brings me joy, as it reaffirms their sense of belonging at Granada. In addition, it serves as a true picture of equity and inclusivity,” Delos Reyes said.
This collaboration is a two-way street. While students in the SDP2 program are developing a large set of skills from this experience, DECA students are also gaining valuable life skills in working with a variety of colleagues and peers.
“DECA students gain the ability to recognize people’s strengths and weaknesses and learn how to work with people that have a different point of view from themselves,” Nelson said.
This partnership has involved a learning curve for DECA students in a variety of ways. Teaching the ins and outs of the Virtual Business Challenge has enabled them to solidify their own knowledge and skills as well as gain experience working with individuals of varying skill levels.
“I’m excited because this is a new opportunity that will be good for DECA, and it’s something that we haven’t done yet,” DECA student Asher said. “I think it will be a good opportunity for all of the students.”
This evolving collaboration brings bright hope for the future of Morning Brew for the Crew and is a catalyst for the growth of students who take part in the SDP2 program. It serves as a testament to the power of inclusivity and the potential for students of all abilities to thrive together.
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