“What is your sphere of influence in the world?” posed Jim Zimmer, Marketing Teacher at Goddard High School (GHS), to his second-year marketing students. By evaluating the differences between influence and popularity, Zimmer helps students make their mark, both in the classroom and out of it. His focus is specifically on developing hard skills that will positively impact students in real-world situations and experiences. The marketing class utilizes events at the school as practice for hosting events in a professional setting. Zimmer shows his classes how to prioritize assets, atmosphere, and attitudes in the room in order to maximize the desired outcome. “Marketing always comes back to impact - how do you, your organization, or your products make a difference in people’s lives?”
GHS’s marketing classes, under the guidance of Zimmer, have become an integral part of the school’s spirit and event planning. Students from all grade levels come together to create exciting and memorable experiences for the entire student body, showcasing their creativity, teamwork, and marketing prowess. One of the most notable projects undertaken by the marketing students is their involvement in planning and executing pep assemblies. These high-energy events bring the school community together, fostering a sense of unity and school spirit. The students collaborate to develop themes, design promotional materials, and even coordinate performances from various school groups. "Zimmer's class is laid back, and we love it because he provides us with an idea, and we're the ones to bring it to life," shared Ethan Pape, GHS senior.
Zimmer, a passionate educator, has inspired his students to go beyond the traditional classroom setting and apply their marketing knowledge to real-world projects. He teaches a number of classes at GHS including Marketing Applications and Principles of Marketing, as well as Accounting, Business Economics, and Financial Literacy. Another course option for students interested in pursuing a future in marketing includes Introduction to Business (Business Essentials), and oftentimes Zimmer encourages students to work within an internship environment if at all possible. He motivates students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and embrace the challenges of creating engaging experiences. "We have the freedom to make it what we want, which is great because it allows us to really take pride in what we produce," commented Gage Koenigs, GHS junior. The students’ hard work and dedication have resulted in marketing initiatives that are both entertaining and memorable, such as pop-up holiday shops that feature sweet treats and swag for sale to students and staff to raise funds for other marketing coursework and endeavors.
Beyond pep assemblies, the marketing students have also participated in a variety of community outreach initiatives. They have worked on campaigns to raise awareness for important social issues, such as cancer treatment and prevention, as well as water filters for children drinking natural water in Nepal. These projects allow students to make a positive impact on their community and beyond while honing their marketing skills. “Students wanting to establish a culture of spirit is what makes this program so special. They gain what they put in. One of my favorite things to intertwine into all of my courses is the idea of high-performing teams and leadership,” shared Zimmer when asked what keeps him coming to work every day. “I do my best to help students navigate how to work together, while also overcoming obstacles and failure - together. Most importantly, they learn something about themselves, and who they want to become when it comes to working with other people.”
Zimmer’s dedication to his students and his commitment to providing them with meaningful learning experiences is evident in the success of his marketing program. He creates a supportive and collaborative environment where students can explore their creativity, develop their leadership skills, and build lasting relationships."The different perspectives and experiences of the class, since it's not just one grade, help us create new and fun things each year of marketing," said Zimmer. "I like to learn what the students want to do, then help make it happen. Me telling them what to do doesn't allow their imagination and innovation to grow.”