Advisor Resources 

THE ROLE OF A DECA ADVISOR

You’ll quickly notice that many of the specific responsibilities of serving as a DECA advisor support the work you are already doing as a classroom teacher. Utilize DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program to develop and maintain an effective chapter, as well as prepare members for college and careers.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program is designed to help you:

• Align your curriculum with national curriculum standards.

• Integrate activities that teach or reinforce specific career and academic standards.

• Engage your students in a small learning community and provide opportunities for leadership.

• Facilitate career preparation and goal setting among your students.

• Involve business leaders in various advisory roles and integrate the use of business leaders into classroom activities.

• Develop business-based opportunities for students such as internships, field trips and projects.

• Provide support for students to practice their management and leadership skills by incorporating project management into the curriculum.

• Communicate curriculum standards and the value of involvement in DECA to counselors and administrators to build support for your classes and program.

DEVELOPING YOUR PHILOSOPHY

Developing a personal philosophy is essential to successfully serve as a DECA advisor. Your individualized philosophy should incorporate the purpose of DECA, your role as a teacher-advisor and the roles and responsibilities of student members. Use this philosophy as you advise your chapter and integrate DECA into your classroom.

To aid you in the process of developing your philosophy, consider the questions below:

• How are you preparing members for college and careers – both now and in the future?

• How will you integrate DECA into the classroom and apply learning?

• How will you incorporate aspects in your program to prepare members to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders?

• How will your program align with your local school’s philosophy and state and national initiatives?

• How do you plan to connect to business?

• What relationship will you foster with postsecondary institutions?

• How will you brand and promote your program?