At Lincoln School, we believe that entrepreneurial thinking is not reserved for a select few. It is a mindset that can empower every student to become a change-maker in their community and the world. This belief is at the heart of our partnership with Babson College, a global leader in entrepreneurial education, and it drives our commitment to integrating entrepreneurship into our curriculum from preschool through 12th grade.
A Partnership Rooted in Innovation
Our partnership with Babson College began before the pandemic when we hosted a three-day workshop with the Babson team. This initial experience ignited our commitment to entrepreneurial education, and we soon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an ongoing partnership. One of the early steps was selecting a pilot team of teacher-leaders and administrators to participate in EPIC training. Inspired by their enthusiasm and the program’s impact, we decided to make EPIC a mandatory course for all 9th graders.
EPIC, which stands for Entrepreneurial Program for Innovative Change, is designed to help students use creative logic to identify opportunities, solve problems, and create value. Over the years, EPIC has grown beyond just a course, it has become part of our educational DNA, guiding the development of a robust PS-12th grade entrepreneurship curriculum complete with anchor standards, specific learning outcomes at each grade level, targeted interdisciplinary units, service initiatives, and custom high school courses.
Last year, we took the next step in our entrepreneurial journey by bringing EPIC directly to our entire teaching team. During the first semester, every Lincoln School teacher who had not already done so participated in EPIC training to develop a shared understanding, vocabulary, and skill set related to entrepreneurial education. This training was not just a workshop or a one-off event: it was a semester-long commitment to learning, collaboration, and growth.
Learning from the Best
Our guide in this important work was once again Beth Goldstein. Beth has been working with us since our first workshop: training teachers in EPIC, holding workshops for parents and Board members, and acting as a thought partner as we blazed this trail of innovative teaching and learning. Beth (and her partner) worked face-to-face with our teachers in August and January as bookends to the EIPC course and met with them each month online throughout the semester. These sessions were designed not just to familiarize teachers with the EPIC curriculum but to immerse them in entrepreneurial thinking. Beth’s expertise and passion for entrepreneurship inspired our teachers to see themselves not just as educators, but as innovators capable of sparking creativity and problem-solving in their classrooms.
Teachers as Entrepreneurs
Throughout the semester, our teachers worked in teams to design and pitch their own entrepreneurial projects. This hands-on experience was critical; not only did it allow teachers to experience first-hand what students learn in EPIC, but it also fostered collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Working through the entrepreneurial process of ideating, iterating, and presenting their projects, our teachers gained a deeper appreciation for the skills and mindsets we are cultivating in our students.
Building a Common Language
One of the key goals of the EPIC training was to establish a common language and understanding around entrepreneurial education. By engaging in the same learning experiences as our students, teachers are now better equipped to integrate entrepreneurial thinking into their own classrooms. They share a vocabulary that bridges disciplines and grade levels, ensuring that entrepreneurial learning is not isolated to one course or one grade but is a unifying thread throughout a Lincoln School education. When an entire faculty is trained in the same entrepreneurial methodology, it creates a unified language of innovation that empowers students to be brave and creative in their learning. This collective approach not only deepens student understanding but also cultivates a culture where taking risks, solving real-world problems, and thinking critically are the norm, not the exception.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, our commitment to entrepreneurial education remains strong. Our teachers are not only more confident in their understanding of EPIC but are also more equipped to contribute to the development of our PS-12th grade entrepreneurship curriculum. Together, we are building a community of educators and students who see the world not just as it is, but as it could be, and who have the skills and mindset to make that vision a reality.
We are proud of the work our teachers have done to embrace entrepreneurial thinking, and we look forward to continuing this journey with Beth and Babson College as our trusted partners. Together, we are preparing students to act as change-makers today and tomorrow, equipped with the creative logic and entrepreneurial skills to bring value to their communities and the world.
Garrenteed Learning 