VentureLab is proud to celebrate Erin’s accomplishments by awarding her the status of a VentureLab Certified Advocate for her contribution to the youth entrepreneurship movement by growing partnerships and youth development opportunities,  sharing her experience with other educators, growing her mindset in the VentureLab Mindset for Educators Program, and advocating on behalf of youth in St. Louis, Missouri.

Enhancing and Connecting​

Erin has dedicated her career to enhancing K-12 education, particularly in the area of… Through her work with organizations like Mission St. Louis, she has played a key role in preparing young people for blossoming futures. 

She recognizes that afterschool programs are uniquely positioned to reach students who might not otherwise have access to entrepreneurial education. Her commitment to this work comes from a deep belief that education should empower students with the skills they need to succeed in any career or life path they choose.

Grassroots Classroom to Community

After over a decade of teaching experience in St. Louis City, Erin joined Mission St. Louis to design a new program.

The initial idea for what would become the Beyond School program was a grassroots response to what Erin and other educators saw every day. The organization’s office was in the same neighborhood as the school, so educators noticed many students after school with no supervision, engaging in risky behaviors. What started as a safe space quickly evolved to address the students’ significant academic and social challenges

 The program’s components were expanded to teach self-regulation and healthy social skills, and to provide well-rounded experiences for students who lived within an eight-block radius. The goal was to broaden their world beyond the neighborhood so they could make more informed decisions about their future.

Mission St. Louis’ program Beyond School now serves students from kindergarten through 11th grade at 4 sites in St. Louis.

• St. Louis Language Immersion School
• Kairos Academies
• Lafayette Preparatory Academy
• The Biome School

Join the VentureLab Certified Community

Are you passionate about empowering youth and transforming education through entrepreneurial learning? VentureLab is cultivating a certified community of educators and advocates committed to making an impact. Discover how you can become involved and join the movement!

Want to learn how you can bring entrepreneurial learning to your community, contact VentureLab’s Director of Education, Scott Mann.