Learning how to get along with new people in the class gives students an opportunity to meet and work with a variety of people. Learning how to be a team player is a new concept to many students. Respecting the diversity and opinions of others, in a class where students are encouraged to offer suggestions, opens new avenues of learning about other people. Students run the greenhouses and floral shop as a business so they have the opportunity to work with the public. This is an education in and of itself.
Students have to answer customer questions, take phone calls and handle money.
They often work in teams until they feel comfortable doing these tasks alone. They learn that they have to be courteous, tactful and polite even when they don't feel like it. Safety is a big concern for all educators, especially those who have labs where there are all sorts of equipment and potentially dangerous situations. We have safety drills in our department where we look for hazardous conditions and find solutions to the problem. Each student is assigned an area each week to clean and make safe.