My best advice is to align your instructional materials and practice tests with MBA Research, as they write the exams, and to focus on the exam blueprint. For new teachers, this might need further explanation. Additionally, ensure students understand the performance indicators for their exams. To engage your community in DECA, involve them in competitive event planning by brainstorming ideas, addressing community needs, reviewing financials, and listening to student presentations—this helps clarify what DECA is all about!

Lisa Hurt - Retired Advisor

They will need to know the importance of the performance indicators for Series Event role plays also. I suggest addressing them in order so judges can easily give scores. Another tip is when competing in written events to go by the event guidelines exactly and make sure the Written Assurance is included. Make sure they adhere to the requirements to avoid penalty points. I suggest having a backup copy of presentation slides if they use a laptop for written event presentations. I suggest having someone in the industry look over projects, especially the financials to make sure they are accurate.

Patty Evans - Retired Advisor

There will be days when a thousand things come at you. Before you start your day, list the top 5 things that are most pressing THAT DAY. (Keep a note pad in the bathroom. Best ideas come while in the shower...who knows why?) On major events, I found it helpful to design a "To-Do List" with the Officers and Committee Heads. If it's on paper/web and assigned, it should get completed. This also breaks down the activities into manageable elements. This also get folks to buy in and be a part of the group. Put deadlines and announcements posted on the board/in classroom. Have the students write an essay early on about something related to free enterprise, the economy, business ownership, entrepreneurship, etc. This can tell you who might be a written project competitor. Have the students present in class and solve scenarios. You might have a budding TDM team. Direct curriculum with the DECA Events in mind. Tt is your responsibility to give the students the best year possible and it is the students' responsibility to give you the best year possible. This elevates everyone! Finally, teach and enjoy the growth of both yourself, as a teacher and your students' knowledge.

Angela Evans - Retired Advisor

Use project based learning as much as possible with class projects that are much like DECA events; take test questions directly from old DECA tests and incorporate them into chapter/unit classroom tests; talk about events and competitions starting at the very first chapter meeting; hold extra meetings each month that only focus on competition prep