They Mean Business: Business teachers Mercedes Rasmussen and Amanda Doane work together to create an engaging environment in the business department

Last year at DECA Internationals in Anaheim, CA, the airline lost two groups’ projects for their presentation the next day. The hotel lobby was filled with 27 panicked DECA students.

In classic “Mercedes fashion,” business teacher Mercedes Rasmussen was on the phone with the airline, doing everything she could to get the posters delivered within the next day. Meanwhile, business teacher Amanda Doane calmly gathered the students whose presentations were lost and had a car service take them to Kinkos to reprint the posters.

“When I get riled up about things, [Doane] comes and brings zen to me when I need it,” Rasmussen said. “We really do have a different vibe about us, which allows the kids to attach themselves to whoever they feel more comfortable [with].”

Rasmussen and Doane have spent their days running back and forth between each other’s rooms since Doane came to East eight years ago.

The self-proclaimed “work wives” have shaped East’s DECA program since it was started by Rasmussen in 1995. It’s now the largest chapter in Kansas with 180 members, over 50 international finalists and one international champion. Rasmussen is the head DECA Chapter Advisor and Doane is the assistant.

Rasmussen and Doane bounce from the two marketing classrooms to the student store and coffee shop, borrowing supplies from each other for projects in marketing principles and planning DECA events together. Thanks to them, the business wing of the fifth floor is jam-packed with collaboration, candy and helpful tips for students.

When junior Georgia Boyd missed the DECA information day due to a golf tournament, both Rasmussen and Doane took time out of their packed schedules and seminar to reiterate the spiel seniors gave the day prior and convinced her to sign up for the upcoming competition.

“They’re very understanding [about missing school] and are always willing to help me,” Boyd said. “Since I was close with both of [them], they got me all the information and helped me.”

Students like DECA member and senior Elle Tollefson are drawn to the business hallway because of Rasmussen and Doane’s synergetic personalities.

Tollefson is in Rasmussen’s room at least once a day — even though she doesn’t have her in class. Tollefson can be found in room 528 during first hour making Coffee Shop merch, fourth hour eating lunch with her twin sister Eve or helping out with merchandise for student store in seventh hour.

“They’re always saying ‘Hi’ and asking questions,” Tollefson said. “They make me happy because they’re so easy to talk to.”

Doane’s calm and organized nature helped Rasmussen when she broke her wrist and ended up in the hospital three years ago. Mid-examination, Rasmussen realized she had no substitute plans.

“All I could think about was, please call [Doane],” Rasmussen said. “I gotta call [Doane].”

Doane quickly organized sub plans for Rasmussen’s classes for the following days.

They rely on each other, whether it’s for ideas regarding projects in Marketing Principles or covering for one another when they have to step out of the classroom.

When the bell rings at 2:40 every afternoon, Doane walks into room 528 to say “Hi” to Rasmussen for at least the fifth time that day.

There, they “download the day,” according to Doane. This can be anything from discussing booking hotel rooms for the upcoming State DECA competition or laughing about challenges from the day, always celebrating their small successes.

Then, they walk out of the building together, sometimes standing outside their cars chatting for an additional ten minutes.

This has been their daily routine for eight years.

“Even if something insane is going on, or something is driving us crazy,” Doane said. “We leave and we’re so happy about the day.”