Episode 6: Navigating CTE Recruitment & Planning a Fashion Show

Jacqueline Walker 0:01 As we wrap up this three part series with Brianna lark, she shares some insight about recruiting, and the magnet application process for her program, planning a fashion show, and some tidbits from her teacher life. If this is your first time here, be sure to go back and listen to part one of this series in episode two, and part two. In episode four, it's been a very full circle moment having my student become a teacher in the program in which I taught her. You're listening to marketing adventure, the hub for business, fashion, marketing, and other CTE educators who integrate marketing into the learning experience. I'm your host, Jackie Walker. Each week, I'll cover marketing, education concepts, strategies, tips, trends, frameworks, and other information to equip you to connect your classroom to digital natives while cultivating an engaged learning environment. So come on into the room, where your favorite beverage snacks and even your cell phone are all welcome. Jacqueline Walker 1:19 right, so let's talk about you have this wonderful program. So how do people get into the program? Okay,

Briaana Lark 1:25 so, um, we host a lot of things at Skyline. So for one, we do magnet fairs, where we recruit through middle schools, there's feeder pattern schools, or feeder schools where there's like laying and enrichers, where we pub really hard, we go through the schools, we invite them to our school. We also have created a social media page, where we put a lot of our fashion shows and our field trips and different things on there. And then another, we have a link tree. So there's like a brochure where there's different things that cluster does, and we go and drop them off at middle schools. And when I say we meet and the fashion design teacher, Miss Annabelle. We go out to schools, and we talk to these business teachers and we talk to these art teachers and we talk to them and just leave pamphlets with them. Another cool way we recruit is really by word of mouth. Most of the time it's it's through people who have a cousin, or a sibling that goes there. But this year, we've been up in the game, we have magnet fairs twice a week, up until the deadline, we have discovered Dallas, which is a big event this past week, the weekend before last where we set a booth up any opportunity, we could slap a booth up with our mannequin and our brochures. Were there. My partner, she's very big on recruiting, and I'm so happy because it's like with everything I have over here she picks up the other parts like the recruiting parts. For us, we also have a coordinator who just basically brings the middle schools to us. So two days a week, we set up tables in the student center, we have ambassadors, where we've trained these students to talk about the program for us. And so while we're in class teaching there in the student center, you know, talking about our program. So we do that we have different just every event that we can go to where they're recruiting, we have we raised enough money to buy little pins, like little real official seal pins, and we have tumbler cups with the skyline cluster on it and all these different little because that's what people want.

Jacqueline Walker 3:32 Man, they want the merchandise. Yep,

Briaana Lark 3:35 yep. But just recruiting through the magnet fairs, but the college fairs, the different things that the school helps us organize and setup.

Jacqueline Walker 3:45 Okay, and so how does someone get into your program? Once you've recruited them? What does that process like?

Briaana Lark 3:50 So basically, what happens is in which we're about to start this week coming up, we are back in person. So what you do is you go online to the ISD dot Dallas isd.org. And you fill out that magnet application. You'll you'll find you'll tunneled through to find Scotland's application. And it's really really, really important that you put Scotland as your first and your second option. So if you want to do fashion fashion cluster, we also have other amazing clusters like culinary arts, aviation, automotive, photography, interior design, graphic arts, there's the list goes on painting, construction, architecture, theater, right? All these different amazing programs, you have two options and so put Skyline down on your as both your options and our coordinator will magnet coordinator contacts or assistant contacts you actually fill it out. There's certain test scores that you have to have, which are pretty reasonable. You'll apply and then once you go through that, you'll have to submit one page about why fashion what fashion means to you. A Sketch, you'll do a measure test. And then after that, you'll get two letters of recommendation from any one that you look up to whether that's a counselor, a teacher, the pastor to church, the student gets all of that together, they submit all of these forms online. And what happens is we call them in for interview. So the past few years they've been, they've been zoom interviews. So we'll have a group of kids on there. And we'll, we'll ask open ended questions to the kids. And so just kind of gauge them. Now, this is our first year we're going back, which was how it was when I did it. So I'm interested to see how that goes. But I had a meeting with my partner, and we're going to set it up to where they come in. We do their interview in a roundtable. And then we go for tours, quick tour, my room quick tour of her room. And another thing we've thought of is we're going to start giving golden tickets to students in middle schools to come see our fashion show for free. Let them see all the clusters because the cool thing is to have gotten the fashion show and we do fashion shows in the spring. done almost every cluster involves some kind of way. So in the principal loves to buy into because it's like it's a family affair, right? It's it's a big collaboration and you get as a teacher, you get tested on collaborating with teachers. You don't even know it, you know, is that okay? Great. All right. But I aced that part because I can say I've worked with flow culture that did the stage a theater team built the stage, the architecture team constructed it, you know, we had Radio TV, we had yearbook, we have photography, the dance team, the band, all these different people in it, and it's like, Hey, if you're not into fashion, you see the, you know, floor culture team that did this. So it's just like, a really, it'd be a really cool buy in for them and right, just get them excited about the program. He is.

Jacqueline Walker 7:02 So glad you brought up the fashion show, because I'm gonna say okay, I know that, you know, before we end here, we have to talk about like the big event that you have for the year. So what is the theme this year? No.

Briaana Lark 7:14 Longer? Have I shared the lookbook with you? No, I got to share with you when we get off this, this group of kids, okay, it's only three. Because this is the last of the COVID group. Right? Other classes are 12 and more. So this is my baby class, and five to six people. So run a show from a fashion director to a model coordinator to the marketing coordinator, you know, so thank God we have these clusters picking up Radio TV picking up and carrying on these ads. But let me tell you, this group of girls already had their concept last year before the year ended, and was ready to go and they stuck to it and I love it. So basically, it's called elements of essence. They're doing the segment's in monochromatic colors. And they're doing so they're doing fire, reds, oranges, yellows, but ran from head to toe, Orange from head to toe. They're doing wind, which is an absorb like apocalypse. So nudes whites creams, they're doing old money, which is blue steals all those different, you know, soft colors. And then the last segment is Earth, which was Earth Wind, Fire. And water. Yeah, oh man against water, I don't know. And so then their their Earth is green. But the aesthetic is like salons or like Erykah Badu. And so those, those kids will have bantu knots and natural styles and the colors for that as greens and different things like that. So every segment is a different color. And every scene is a different element. And so they want the stage to be set up like a Tinker Bell type of like fairy tale with candles and greenery every year. They've really brought it to life. They have their playlists, for every segment, they have everything in so the cool thing is the fashion design side gets to design a collection. So these kids begin, they start from a sketch and Miss Walker when I tell you sometimes I'm amazed. And so each senior chose a different element that they're going to do. So streetwear is fire. And so the girl who sketched that sketch streetwear pieces is like a red denim jacket with red denim pants, like it's just cool. And so we'll have about 12 pieces that are designed from a sketch from a pattern to a finish piece that actually goes on a model. And the cool thing is, they're partnering with photography to create a portfolio this year and have that with them. But yeah, they already got the show on a row we that we got model CT professional model coordinators coming in and flying in from Atlanta. So on top of DECA in city, but we're

Jacqueline Walker 10:18 I look forward to hear more about it. And I definitely have to see them. And that's my last little group that I had they were my COVID babies for sure. So definitely had to come and support them. Hey, in Pinterest educator, I just want to take a quick break to ask, is this your first time teaching fashion marketing? Or do you need a boost in your curriculum? Well look no further, I have the ultimate fashion marketing class bundle is packed with four vibrant presentations, fun and engaging activities, quizzes, and for major projects for an immersive semester of fashion exploration. And it comes with a pacing guide for an 18 week semester. Additionally, each assignment has detailed student instructions, and suggested pacing times so that you can tailor the timeframe to fit your teaching schedule. For more information about this must have bundle, go to Marketing adventure.com and search ultimate fashion marketing class bundle, or simply click the link in the show notes. Now back to the show.

Jacqueline Walker 11:36 In here, let me ask you a few questions. And these are just little short questions that you can get even short answer for. And this is my my little fill me more session segment. So one of your must have resources in your classroom, that really changed the game for you. Deca

Briaana Lark 11:53 plus DECA. Tell us about that. So DECA Plus is a really cool website that they've created. And it's about 150 to $200. It's free if you get more students every year, so I ended up paying for it. But it's cool because it comes with performance indicator flip cars and vocabulary for cars and sample tests and sample role playing. I can easily access and print out. They even have case studies and for the kids and so that's been my biggest like, Thank you.

Jacqueline Walker 12:29 Yes, awesome. All right. So now, we have Teacher Appreciation Week, every year. And we always get these wonderful things. But what do you really want for Teacher Appreciation Week? Oh, for

Briaana Lark 12:44 Teacher Appreciation Week. Realistically, I'm coffee. I love coffee. So I'm always looking for the coffee gift. I'm always going to coffee gift cards. But last year, I got some really amazing letters that had me just like tearing up and my kids just kind of talking to me like and just being real and being vulnerable, telling me how much I've helped them outside of the classroom. And I think you didn't tell me that part that I was going to connect it to these kids like this. Oh, yeah, that's

Jacqueline Walker 13:15 the hardest part. That's not a thing that really keeps you from leaving. Thing that tugs at you and like kind of keeps you anchored. Yeah. That Briaana Lark

13:24 those letters last year had me in tears. Even though I'm just quoting me like kids pay attention. You know how little kids pay attention? These big kids pay attention to everything you Yes. And they listened to me and I nag a lot, so But they'd be listening. Awesome.

Jacqueline Walker 13:41 All right. So like if you were not a teacher now, because we know you've done a lot of things in your life before being a teacher, what would you be doing that? What do you think you will be doing if you weren't teaching? Realistically,

Briaana Lark 13:51 probably still in retail i My goal was to work my way up at Target to become a director over the clothing sector section. So going working remote and going store to store. But I have a really cool dream that I can some kind of way move out to California with my best friend. He's in the works of trying to create a position to where and this is my dream job. But basically I create the planograms for stores and I create what goes on the shelves, how it looks how its merchandise, and it goes to every Skechers that they have. And she she's been doing amazing things. Yeah, I'll probably hear from her soon. I'll let her tell you guys, but she's to create. She's a senior director of a women's I think and so she's trying to go for me. That would have been I probably would have pushed a little harder for that. Maybe something along those lines. Because I just I would love to be in retail but not in the store anymore. I

Jacqueline Walker 14:55 feel like Right, right. You paid your dues. Yeah You want to be in a Briaana Lark 15:00 corporate office? Yeah. Are going store to store you know, right, right?

Jacqueline Walker 15:05 All right. So as a teacher, what is your cheat code being

Briaana Lark 15:10 organized? All people tell me that you're probably what they say you're a procrastinator, but I'm an organized person to the tea. Like, if I have a field trip, I'm doing everything. I'm not waiting for the email that you posted in the day, I have to do it, I'm sending the email, but the key is being absent. I'm prepping it the week before, and I'm saving it somewhere so that everything about me if I have to be organized, I have to have it in a planner. And my calendar is written down. It's on sticky notes. And I and I stay organized. That's the only way you could do. How did you do it?

Jacqueline Walker 15:49 I can't even tell you. I mean, it was just well, my background was project management. So I did have some project management along the way in there somewhere. But you know, there were times when you know, you took work home. And so you were I'd created spreadsheets, I created all kinds of things to help me organize it. You can use a planner, but I never did keep up with that too well. But yeah, so it was always about creating a spreadsheet, creating an outline. Creating a binder. I swear I had a binder for everything

Briaana Lark 16:22 you did, I'm still fighting by that just found the fashion fashion show binders in a file cabinet and I'm telling Asia stuff is in this binder. Yes,

Jacqueline Walker 16:34 yes. I was a binder person for sure. And I have a lot of files I had folders on my computer and I just have files and folders and everything folders with inside of folders. So that was my organization. Technology was my organization. Alrighty,

Briaana Lark 16:53 technology.

Jacqueline Walker 16:55 Oh yeah, that was my thing. My computer was baby. I had everything on it. Right. So tell us you know, and your teacher, let's reflect back on who your favorite teachers growing up were for you. Briaana Lark 17:10 And why talk to

Jacqueline Walker 17:15 me, and it's understandable to

Briaana Lark 17:18 have amazing. Were mostly women. My from day care, still in contact with these individuals. But for starters, like I always say I have to give you and Miss Brooks the most credit. Miss Brooks was my first first fashion teacher at Skyline. She was so strict. She was probably one of stricter teachers I've ever had in my life. It was like, you can't write. Um, if it's blue lines, it has to be black ink. If it's black lines, it has to be blue ink. You can't scratch out anything. You have to have white out you have to sit points you have to carry yourself a certain way. And we would think this woman is lunatic. Like we're high schoolers. But Elena, she taught me so many amazing things in life. And then after she left you taking her spot you have been one of my favorite teachers along the way even outside of the classroom because our relationship is bigger than that. You always always supported me I think that's my biggest thing with you. It's like you've supported me in times that I didn't feel like I could do it myself and you you've talked me up I'm somebody I didn't know if I told you this but Somebody contacted me and said they you you were talking about me to them and raving about me and they coincidentally knew me and they was like how do you know her? It's just like you just never know who's talking about you and one of those people that always say amazing things about me and uplift me and push me but real fast I missed it I'm from my middle school has been amazing she's my theatre arts teacher English teacher still to this day we go eat Polish Professor Miss Cupid and I just I've had a lot I've had a lot of teachers and mentors along the way i don't think i My mom has always said never leave with a bad just a taste in somebody's mouth because you just never know if you're going to need that person. Any bridges Oh many times oh, yeah, a lot of them but that's great. I

Jacqueline Walker 19:24 think that's a testament to just like who you are, you know as a person you know, you're very personable. You're a go-getter. You like getting that as a teacher. We love those kinds of students. Definitely, definitely have been a great student. So before we leave, we have a lot of people out here who are new to the profession. Maybe they're just right there where you are in your third year, whatever. I bet if some people who were coming into the profession are pretty new, like what's one golden tip that you would give them coming into the teaching profession.

Briaana Lark 19:58 I just have to say Create a village, a village, create a village because not only for the students, but for yourself because I've built up this wall in retail where you can't fraternize with your employees or talk to them or I'm not open with them. And sometimes as a teacher, you just need to, nobody understands and can relate. Other than like a teacher, you just can't relate, um, build up a rapport with someone, or a lot of people because you can't do it by yourself. That's my biggest. And I say, even when I talk on the CTE, they have me talk to teachers about this. I say that all the time. You need a village, you need your principals body and you need your teachers buy in, you need the parents buy in, do you not know my parents have went and spent 200 $300 on getting food and taking off and driving it out of town to to us, for DECA and their student and even their dedication, when they're running for you and their student ain't even on the on there. And that taken off from work, they're not getting paid, they don't have PTO time. They're, they're putting in time to come and be with you for your kids, you know, so when you build those relationships, it alleviates a lot of stress, because you just have these people. You just have an amazing system. And I think that's the biggest thing for me. I couldn't I can't do it without y'all. I can't do it without my friends, my family and their parents. I wouldn't be able to do it. But the biggest thing is don't stay in a silo. Yes, gather up your kids. And I've met so many teachers that do that they go and they or you know, and they do it alone. Yeah. Find you a team.

Jacqueline Walker 21:38 Yes, build your village? Awesome. I'll tell you what, it has been so great talking with you, I really appreciate you being my very first guest has been awesome. Like I knew it would be and I look forward to the future when you come back. And maybe we can talk, you know, specifically fashion show or some, you know, some other little things that you can give us some tips and tricks about along the way because I know a lot of teachers who are out there doing fashion marketing, they may not have a full four year program like you but they may have a one year program or a two year program. Or maybe they even want to grow. There's some things that I think that you know you'd be valuable at teaching them about. So we look forward to having you again another time. Thank you. You're welcome. Well, this has been such a fun conversation with Brianna, I will definitely have to bring her back to have a more focused talk about retail, visual merchandising, or being a stylist when we talk about careers. Now let me know which topic you want to hear more about by simply DMing me on my instagram at marketing, Ed Fincher and let me know what choice what your choice is, what do you want to hear about? Now in the next episode, I will talk about how educators who are teaching fashion marketing for the very first time can have a successful semester. Until then, have a wonderfully blessed day. Thanks for listening to Marketing EdVenture. Remember to subscribe, rate, review and share this episode with someone you think would benefit from the information shared here today. If you have any questions, or want to connect with me, find me on Instagram at marketing adventure. All links and resources discussed in this episode can be found in the show notes at marketing adventure.com