Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Nick Rizzo
This week, students in Mrs. Megan Williams’ gifted education classes at the Walker County Center of Technology stepped into the world of entrepreneurship through a Shark Tank-style project known as “The Dragon’s Den.”
Williams teaches gifted students from schools across Walker County, with different groups attending on different days. Each class presented their ideas to visiting “Dragons,” community leaders invited to offer feedback, ask questions, and help students strengthen their pitches.
Throughout the week, community leaders participating as Dragons included Chad Hayes, Cindy Phillips, Kennedy Stracner, Ashley Webb, Brian Alexander, Rachel Miller, Danielle Goins, Trent Harris, Chris Maddox, and Al Blanton.
The Walker Leader was present for Tuesday’s session, where our publisher, Al Blanton, served as the Dragon. Students shared a range of imaginative product ideas that blended creativity with thoughtful planning. Concepts included language translation bracelets, glitter jelly spreads, redesigned sippy cups, and specialized teething necklaces.
The project is part of Williams’ commitment to building instruction around big ideas that encourage curiosity, originality, and critical thinking. She said the project was designed to give students a fuller understanding of how products are created, marketed, and presented.
“In gifted education, we build units around big concepts, and this unit focused on entrepreneurship,” Williams said. “Students researched what makes a good product, what makes something sell, and what a strong pitch looks like. It brings a lot of different skills into one project and gives them a sense of what it takes to run a business.”
She added that building confidence is just as important as learning business skills. “I want them to be comfortable speaking in public and to know they can do hard things. Gifted students often pick things up quickly, and when something doesn’t come easily, it can feel discouraging. This project helps them practice stepping outside their comfort zones.”
Curry Middle School student Addie Garrett says that challenge felt very real.
“It was nerve-wracking, but once I got started and realized that he’s just a normal person like we are, it was easier to have a conversation with someone who is trying to help you grow as a young entrepreneur,” Garrett said. “My favorite part was building the pitch. I liked figuring out how to make things sound right and get my point across persuasively.”
Blanton said he was impressed by the students’ preparation and creativity.
“It was obvious that the kids really took their time to do a good job, and they did great with their presentations,” he said. “I think it is a great thing to facilitate real-world scenarios, and I was really thankful to be a part of the whole exercise.
“I think Mrs. Williams is doing a great job of leading and guiding these students, and I love how she is involving the community in the process of helping kids grow educationally.” WL
