FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University will host a three-day program of entrepreneurship training for local teachers, July 12-14.

            The training is sponsored by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). The training includes 21 hours of instruction and participation, meals, and a “goody bag” of materials that teachers can use to incorporate entrepreneurship in their classes.

            Teachers will learn several aspects of entrepreneurship, and will participate in activities such as putting together a business plan. The teachers can return for further sessions this summer to earn three hours of graduate credit.

            The program will begin Wednesday, July 12, with a breakfast at the Cottage on the FMU campus. Program participants, local legislators, and NFTE representatives will attend.

            “Research shows that entrepreneurship is a spirit which is best sparked at a young age,” said Joe Aniello, an FMU business professor and executive director of the university’s Donald E. Kelley Small Business Institute. “By helping to instill an entrepreneurship philosophy in our Pee Dee teachers, we hope to better prepare students who wish to study entrepreneurship in college.”

            Twenty-nine area teachers are currently registered for the three-day training. They are, by school:

Beaufort High School: Rick Kates, Roger Roberg

Bethune Bowman High School: Tracy Brown

Bishopville Primary School: Misbrew Times, Cherie J. Floyd

Brookland Cayce High School: Marysusan Williamson

C.E. Murray Junior/Senior High School: Alvalene Rogers, Shirley Salter-Keels

Creek Bridge High School: Wanda K. Hayes

Crestwood High School: Debra Henderson

Darlington High School: Pamela Smith

Florence Career Center: Eloise Singletary

Hampton Elementary School: Horace Lewis

Lake City High School: Eileen Filyaw

Lake Marion High School and Technology Center: Leonard Anderson

Lakewood High School: Melissa Belser

Latta High School: Laura Gasque

Lee County Career and Technology Center: Carol Bowens

Marion High School: Brandi Cook

Marion Intermediate School: Karen J. Reynolds

Mullins High School: Pamelia Liely-Brown

Palmetto Youth Academy: Joyce McNeil

Sneed Middle School: Valerie Arnold, Patricia Vilag, Donna Squires, Theresa Mann

Sonovista Alternative School: Ronald F. Gaines

Southeast Middle School: Kenneth Busbee

Timmonsville High School: Michele Heyward

            For more information about the training, contact Joe Aniello at 843-661-1430 or janiello@fmarion.edu.