Name: Cindy Durkee ( @CindyDurkee | LinkedIn | email )
Position: MBEA Board of Directors, President
School: Wahconah Regional High School, Dalton
Job Title: Business and Computer Teacher
Grade Levels: high school
Courses Taught: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Computer Software Applications, Cyber Literacy for the Digital Age, Computer Graphics & Web Design
Why and/or how did you become a business educator?
I had decided that I wanted to be a teacher but I wasn’t sure of one of many subjects. While attending Holyoke Community College, my shorthand professor was going to be out for a couple of weeks. She asked me if I would put on the lab tapes for practicing our speed building taking shorthand dictation. At the end of each class I allowed time for students to ask questions on how to write certain words in shorthand. The students (my peers) shared that they learned really well from me. I thought about things and proceeded to switch my major from Medical Secretary to Business Education earning my AS in Business Education. I transferred to Salem State University (then it was Salem State College)–the only state college with the Business Education major– earning my BS in Business Education. I loved being at Salem as the professors were great and I also played on the varsity volleyball team.
What is something unique that you do in your classroom?
I am not afraid to share my personal experiences with students. I bring in real-world examples as much as I possibly can.
What are you passionate about in business education?
I love sharing my knowledge with students and equipping them with skills that will be useful in their lives.
What are your top 3 “tried and true” business education resources?
- Facebook Business Educators Group
- Cengage/South-Western Publishing
- Massachusetts Business Educators Association colleagues
This is a difficult question to answer, but I strongly feel that all students should be receiving training so that they are proficient in the using software applications such as Microsoft Office. The engineer majors don’t realize how often they are going to need to use Excel! Others don’t realize the value of their keyboarding skills along with Office proficiency. And above all else, they need to have education in Personal Finance. These should all be part of graduation course requirements at all high schools in Massachusetts. I would design courses that require mastery of these skills!
I am a passionate volleyball and track and field enthusiast and referee both sports. I love to watch high school sports and encourage the students to do their best. I started a National Business Honor Society chapter at my high school last year and have more than doubled the membership this year. I also co-advise a Business Professionals of America chapter. In our first three years, we have been to Nationals twice!
