Cooperative Business Education. It’s what CBE means. This unique program is a scheduling option for GHS seniors. The class operates almost exactly as a co-op. Cooperative education provides a structured curriculum that integrates academic studies with learning through real work experiences. At Green, the classroom education centers on business and general employment practices. However, when senior Alaina Knowlton was asked what the CBE program meant to her, she provided a much longer response. “This program has made my senior year. It was absolutely the right choice for me. The chance to learn vital business skills while working a real job for school credit is a special opportunity. It should not be taken for granted. Besides that, my class is a tight-knit one, and I couldn’t imagine this school year without them. It’s also teachers like Mrs. Rensel that make students want to show up for class,” said Knowlton.

Mrs. Juli Rensel teaches and advises the CBE program at Green High School through the Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC). Typically, a CBE senior’s schedule looks like this: a block class for CBE, a period for a language arts class and a period for mathematics. All of this is usually completed before fourth period ends at 10:38 a.m., which is one of the most attractive benefits of this program, according to Knowlton. Then, an essential component of CBE occurs. The CBE seniors leave GHS to go to work. For the student to remain a part of the CBE program, they must have a part time job and work a minimum of 15 hours a week. There are also requirements for the types of jobs that students can choose. Each placement has to be approved by Mrs. Rensel herself as it must qualify under CBE guidelines in coordination with Green schools. Apart from this, the student’s employer must also agree to the terms of the program and consent to an employer training agreement.

Their work performance is not only a part of their grade, but the majority of it. “I go to see every student at the job site. Every few weeks, I make an appointment with the employer to make an observation on my student. Then, I write up their work evaluation. 20% of their grade is my own evaluation, 40% is physical proof of their completed hours every pay period, then the other 40% is a written evaluation from their employer every nine weeks,” said Rensel on the grading structure for the program.

The approved jobs include some sort of business or marketing element. Rensel mentioned that the typical CBE job has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Pre Covid, most of the jobs were known as business internships under large companies such as FedEx and Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority. Whereas, other students found job opportunities at local doctors offices, chiropractic offices and law firms. However, post Covid, most CBE students want to work in the food industry, according to Rensel. Besides this, several of Rensel’s seniors work in retail and warehouse distribution as well.

“So the times have changed [since the Covid-19 pandemic]. Regarding food industry, a student can’t just cook. They have to take orders, handle money, and conduct customer service. That all qualifies as business tasks,” said Rensel on the differing jobs in a post pandemic workforce.

Rensel not only knows her way around a classroom, but a boardroom too as she is known for teaching sharp business skills. In class, the students learn computer skills for Microsoft Office, Word, Excel spreadsheets, Publisher, Database, Microsoft Access and Powerpoint. Students also learn business math, interviewing and resumes, income tax basics, proofreading and editing, writing proper business and resignation letters, how to figure payroll and basic banking skills such as check writing and using credit. “The hope is that I can bridge [the gap] between my student and their employer. I can interject or try to prevent them from being fired or prevent any sort of issue at work. It’s an opportunity for my student to use their skills and make themselves a better employee,” said Rensel