FBLA returns to Chamois under new teacher with local roots

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 11/18/20

Chamois business teacher Carol Clark is in her first year in the classroom, but she has roots in this area and many years of experience in the business world to impart as she has reinstated the …

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FBLA returns to Chamois under new teacher with local roots

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Chamois business teacher Carol Clark is in her first year in the classroom, but she has roots in this area and many years of experience in the business world to impart as she has reinstated the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter.
“We have a small group right now, with just eight students but I understand that,” said Clark. “I would be skeptical of a first-year teacher, too, but the kids who have joined are amazing. It’s a good start.”
Chamois previously had an FBLA chapter but it ceased operations when the former business teacher retired. Many of the students in Clark’s group are freshmen, and some parents of current students were in the FBLA chapter while in high school.
“That’s kind of a neat connection,” said Clark. “FBLA provides a good opportunity for students to learn about business and service projects.”
One of the first projects for the chapter has been a food drive, which as of Monday had netted 550 canned-good and non-perishable food items, which will be delivered to Good Shepherd Food Pantry in Linn.
“Teaching students about the importance of being involved in their communities is something we strive for, and our FBLA students are showing the difference such a commitment can make with our fall food drive,” said Principal Jeremy McKague.
The community food drive is just one of the activities of the Chamois FBLA chapter, which was restarted this year with the addition of business classes at the school.
Clark explained that she got to know representatives of the Food Bank of Central and Northeastern Missouri, which provides the school with “buddy-packs” for those less fortunate.
“Food drives are important all year long, but especially as we approach the holiday season, we want to be sure all families have the essentials,” Food Bank of Central and Northeastern Missouri Food and Fund Drive Coordinator Guy Clow said. “We appreciate the FBLA students’ collection efforts and the positive impact they will make in Osage County.”
This food drive was initiated with chapter members visiting homes in the area and leaving a plastic bag for people to place their donated goods. Suggested items were canned meat, fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, cereal, peanut butter, soup, and pasta. Students returned a week later to collect the bags.
“People in the community have been very generous,” said Clark, noting the food drive ends Nov. 18.
The high school class that collects the most items will have a popcorn party.
“I’m very passionate about service projects and helping others in the community,” said Clark.
That’s just something she picked up in the business world, where she spent 25 years in public relations and communications.
While Clark grew up in Holts Summit, her mother, Eunice Landwehr, was from Mt. Sterling, and her father, Nolen Rinne, grew up in Morrison and graduated from Chamois R-1. Clark and her husband purchased the stone house built by her great-grandfather, Fritz Brinkmann, near Mt. Sterling, and have been rehabbing it since June of 2019.
After graduation from Jefferson City High School, Clark went on to earn a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. “I really wanted to go into journalism and write for newspapers and magazines,” said Clark. “Business wasn’t on my radar back then.”
She later earned an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and wound up in PR, spending 18 years at Anheuser-Busch. She had been working with the beer giant while at Fleishman-Hillard before being hired by AB. When Clark left, she returned to Fleishman-Hillard.
During her time in PR, Clark worked heavily on the Drink Responsibly campaign, while also tackling environmental projects and charitable giving. When Anheuser-Busch was sold to InBev, Clark gained international experience with that global company.
Sometimes a fundamental shift occurs, and with Clark, it was the passing of her parents within 18 months.
“I decided I wanted to do something different,” said Clark. “I had worked with a school district on a campaign, and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to work with high-school kids more often, so I went back to school.”
Clark needed a teaching certificate, which she acquired at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, completing her studies in May. The job at Chamois opened up and she jumped at the chance as R-1 needed a business teacher who was interested in teaching yearbook.
“I’m passionate about both those things so it was an easy choice,” said Clark. “Being able to get FBLA going again was a bonus.”
She also oversees The Pirate Post, a newsletter sent home with students and published on the school’s Facebook page. Seven students in the yearbook class are doing a little bit of everything to make The Pirate Post a reality, and much of the content will be repurposed for the yearbook.
“We won’t start on that in earnest until January, but we’re taking a lot of photos and we have stories being written all the time,” said Clark. “The Pirate Post is a nice way to share information about school events with the community, and give credit to our students for their academic and athletic achievements.”
In the classroom, Clark teaches a semester of personal finance followed by another of business management, along with a semester of introduction to business followed by entrepreneurship, and a full year of business economics.
Marketing and a business law class were offered but no one signed up for those, so Clark hopes to add those to her schedule next year.
She believes in the power of inspiration. “Teaching is about making the subject matter interesting and bringing it to life,” said Clark. “I try to make it relatable and tie it to everyday life.”
As for FBLA, Clark said she is encouraged by the support from parents. “I’m excited about bringing it back and, hopefully, we’ll be able to engage in a lot more projects in the community,” she said.
FBLA helps prepare students for careers in business through community service, academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs.
Due to COVID, there have been no in-person gatherings outside of school and upcoming competitions will be conducted virtually.