>> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> THROUGHOUT 2020 AS COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO RISE, SO TOO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DECIDED AT THIS SEEMINGLY UNLIKELY MOMENTS TO OPEN THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

>> JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

IF YOU DON'T TAKE A CHANCE, WHAT'S LIFE ALL ABOUT?

>> DID YOU EVER SAY TO YOURSELF, THIS IS RISKY?

>> ALL THE TIME, BUT THAT PASSES.

>> IT WAS ALWAYS THE LIFE I HAD PICTURED FOR MYSELF.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE HOMESCHOOLED, WORKING ON MY FARM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> THERE IS NO DENYING RACHYL TRAVIS IS IN HER ELEMENT ON THE FARM AND IS MOST COMFORTABLE AROUND HER GOATS.

>> THEY ARE FOLLOWING YOU.

>> YEAH.

[LAUGHTER] >> ♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

PAMELA: FOR SOME, FINDING WHAT WE LOVE TO DO CAN TAKE A LIFETIME.

TONIGHT, WE MEET ONE YOUNG WOMAN WHO FOUND HER CALLING AS A CHILD.

WE WILL ALSO MEET SEVERAL LOVERS -- SEVERAL OTHERS WHO FOUND PASSION FOR THEIR WORK IN THE TOUGHEST OF TIMES.

FOR MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH NEWS OF STORES AND RESTAURANTS CLOSING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

MANY OF THEM FOR GOOD.

IN THIS UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT, WHY WOULD ANYONE OPEN A NEW BUSINESS?

IT MIGHT -- IT MIGHT SEEM CONTRADICTORY, BUT THE NUMBER OF NEW BUSINESSES IS SETTING RECORDS.

DESPITE THE HEARTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE POPULARITY OF ONLINE SHOPPING, MANY HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SAVE SOME MONEY, RE-THINK CAREERS AND PURSUE A DREAM.

TONIGHT, A LOOK INTO SOME OF THE SMALL CORNERS OF RHODE ISLAND WHERE ENTREPRENEURS ARE LIVING IN A STATE OF HOPE.

CHEPACHET IS A VILLAGE OF GLOUCESTER IN NORTHWEST RHODE ISLAND.

IT HOSTS BROWN AND HOPKINS, THE OLDEST CONTINUING OPERATING COUNTRY STORE IN AMERICA.

CHILDREN CAN STILL PICK OUT PENNY CANDY AND A GLASS CASE.

-- IN A GLASS CASE.

FIRST TRAPPERS USED TO NAVIGATE THE RIVER TO BARTER AT THIS 16 90'S TRADING POST.

AMID ALL OF THESE VINTAGE SHOPS AND HISTORIC SPOTS, THERE IS A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK.

THE HENHOUSE WAS HATCHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AT A TIME WHEN MANY BUSINESSES WERE FORCED TO CLOSE, THIS ENTERPRISE OPENED.

IT IS A SHOWCASE FOR ARTISANS, FARMERS AND FOODIES WHO HAD NOWHERE TO DISPLAY THEIR WARES.

THE SHOPS DIRECTOR IS GLASS ARTIST KIM BELLOWING.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC?

WERE ARTISTS HURTING?

>> I WOULD SAY YES.

WE TALKED TO A LOT OF THEM, SHOWS WERE GETTING CANCELED.

BY JUNE, WE WERE ALL GETTING ANTSY.

THAT IS WHEN I STARTED THE CO-OP DOWN THE STREET, NOT THINKING IT WOULD TAKE OFF.

PAMELA: DID IT?

>> YES.

WE STARTED IN AUGUST.

THE TURNOUT RIGHT AWAY IN AUGUST WAS PHENOMENAL, I COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW WELL IT DID.

PAMELA: BELLOWING SAYS THE POP UP SHOP WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISING GIVEN THE SURGE OF COVID CASES AT THE TIME.

BUT SHE FOUND CUSTOMERS KEPT COMING.

>> THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A PLACE THAT WAS LOW-KEY, SMALL, WHERE THEY COULD JUST GET OUT.

PAMELA: THAT SMALL SUCCESS LED TO A BIG COLLABORATION.

HER FRIEND ASKED HER TO PARTNER IN THIS MORE EXPENSIVE ENTERPRISE.

THE STORE OPENED LAST NOVEMBER.

SHE SAYS WEEKEND HOLIDAY SHOPPING WAS BRISK AT THE HENHOUSE COME A RENOVATED FROM SCRATCH.

DID YOU EVER HAVE A MOMENT WHEN YOU SAID, THIS IS RISKY?

>> ALL THE TIME.

BUT THEN, THAT PASSES.

[LAUGHTER] PAMELA: SHE SAYS IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR CRAFTS AND EVENTUALLY THERE IS A PLAN TO OFFER WORKSHOPS.

>> IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO BECAUSE I KNOW MY BUSINESS PROBABLY WON'T EVER BE BACK TO WHAT IT ONCE WAS AT THE FARM.

PAMELA: FOR PROPRIETOR JOEY ESPOSITO, COVID COULD HAVE MEANT CALAMITY FOR HER FARM.

HAVING SHOPPERS AT THE HENHOUSE LAST CHRISTMAS WAS REASSURING.

>> IT WAS NICE TO SEE FAMILIES TOGETHER.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE PEOPLE OUT WALKING AROUND.

I THINK THROUGH THIS WHOLE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE ARE MORE MINDFUL ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE GETTING THEIR FOOD, WHERE THEY ARE BUYING THEIR WARES, AND MAYBE IT HAS GONE BACK TO GRASSROOTS LITTLE BIT.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE MORE MINDFUL ABOUT THAT NOW AND I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

I HOPE PEOPLE LEARNED FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

PAMELA: ESPOSITO SAYS THE HUNGER FOR LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD YIELDED THE OFFERINGS AT THE HENHOUSE.

IN ADDITION TO MAPLE SYRUP, THE STORE OFFERS LOCAL BEEF, PRODUCE, SALSA AND HONEY.

JUST A FEW DOORS DOWN, SUZANNE HARBORS NOTICED PEOPLE WERE SEEKING COMFORT FOOD AND HOME COOKING.

WITH THAT IN MIND, HER RESTAURANT, THE BLACK FOREST CAFE, SPROUTED IN THE SPRING OF 2020.

SHE HAD A BAKERY IN HER NATIVE GERMANY.

AFTER COMING TO THE U.S., SHE WAS LAID OFF DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SHE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO PURSUE HER AMERICAN DREAM.

>> MY ULTIMATE GOAL WAS -- I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME.

NEVER DID IT BECAUSE OF KIDS AND ALL OF THIS THINGS.

THE SECURITY YOU HAVE WHEN YOU HAVE A JOB.

SO THEN I DECIDED OK, NOW IS THE TIME.

PAMELA: THAT HAD TO BE SCARY.

>> IT WAS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THIS WAS AVAILABLE, COVID WAS NOT IN EVERYONE'S MOUTHS.

WHILE I WAS PLANNING IT JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, IT BECAME OBVIOUS WITH COVID.

BUT AT THAT TIME, I WAS SO FAR INTO IT I SAID, I AM GOING TO DO THIS.

I CAN MANAGE.

IF I CAN MANAGE THIS, I CAN MANAGE ANYTHING.

SO WE OPENED MAY 29 OF LAST YEAR.

PAMELA: HOW HAS IT BEEN?

>> THERE STAYS WHERE IT IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

EVEN THOUGH I SO ENJOY IT, I WOULD NOT GIVE UP ON IT.

I CALLED UP MY PERFECT STORM.

PAMELA: AS IN ANY STORM, SHE ADMITS IT GOT ROCKY FOR HER CAUSED TEMPORARY CLOSINGS AND RESTRICTIONS ON SPACE.

>> YOU NEED A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY.

YOU NEED TO CHANGE IN AN INSTANT WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU GET RESTRICTIONS ON SEATING, SPACING , IT WAS CHALLENGING AT TIMES BUT ONCE YOU GET INTO IT, I THINK YOU JUST HAVE TO GO WITH THE FLOW.

PAMELA: SHE IS NOT ALONE AND PERSEVERING IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC.

THE GLOUCESTER BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAYS NEARLY A DOZEN NEW VENTURES HAVE OPENED IN THE SMALL TOWN SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.

THAT TREND IS REFLECTED IN THE NUMBERS FROM THE RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

IN 2020, MORE THAN 10,000 NEW BUSINESSES REGISTERED, THE MOST IN A SINGLE YEAR.

IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THERE'S CLOSE TO 4000 NEW BUSINESS FILINGS.

IF IT STAYS ON PACE, IT WILL TOP LAST YEAR'S RECORD.

>> IN TIME OF CRISIS IS TIME OF OPPORTUNITY PAMELA: -- PAMELA: THIS COVID BUSINESS BOOM IS NOT UNUSUAL, ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL BUSINESSES.

TO A LESSER EXTENT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED DURING THE RECESSION OF 2008.

THERE IS EVEN A NAME FOR IT, HE SAYS IT IS CALLED "CREATIVE DESTRUCTION," WHEN A CRISIS DESTROYS THE OLD WAY OF DOING BUSINESS, IT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THE NEW ELIMINATES THE OLD.

THAT PROCESS IS HAPPENING ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY WHERE NEW IDEAS, NEW PRODUCTS AND WAYS OF DOING THINGS COME ONLINE AND ELIMINATES THE OLD WAYS OF DOING THINGS.

THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR ECONOMY.

THIS PROCESS OF CREATIVE DESTRUCTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY, THE FUNDAMENTAL FORCE FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN THE LONG-TERM.

PAMELA: WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR AN ENTREPRENEUR TO GO BOLDLY OUT THERE AND START A NEW BUSINESS AT TIMES LIKE THIS?

>> YOU NEED TO HAVE THE VISION, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MARKET, YOU NEED TO BE CAPABLE OF SEEING OPPORTUNITY WERE NOBODY ELSE SAW IT.

PAMELA: ADAPTING A CURRENT BUSINESS IS DIFFERENT FROM CREATING A NEW ONE.

>> HAS BEEN A HARD COME ALONG JOURNEY -- IT HAS BEEN A LONG, HARD JOURNEY.

WE STARTED OUT BY PICKING OUT THE CANVASES.

THERE IS THE THEME TO EVERY PAGE.

PAMELA: REAMS OF FRESH CANVAS AWAIT THE COLORFUL FIBERS TO PRODUCE TEXTILE ART.

IN 2020, NEEDLEPOINT BY THE BAY EVOLVED AS ENTREPRENEUR KAREN O'SULLIVAN ENTWINED HER EXPERTISE IN ACCOUNTING AND BANKING WITH HER NEW PASTIME.

>> ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE WERE STUCK AT HOME DOING NOTHING.

PAMELA: O'SULLIVAN, AND HER BUSINESS PARTNER MERIT DISCOVERED THAT JUST AS WITH THE CRAZE OF BAKING BREAD, PEOPLE SHELTERED AT HOME WANTED SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE TO DO.

>> WE HAVE OLDER PEOPLE AND YOUNGER PEOPLE.

I WANTED TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT FOR ME.

I WAS ALWAYS IN THE FINANCIAL BUSINESS.

I CAN INCORPORATE THE FINANCIAL EXPERTISE IN THIS, BUT IT IS DIFFERENT.

PAMELA: O'SULLIVAN, AS WITH EVERYONE WE SPOKE WITH, SAYS STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS IN THE FACE OF PANDEMIC TAKES GRITTY DETERMINATION AND HOPE.

>> JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

IF YOU DON'T TAKE A CHANCE IN LIFE, WHAT IS LIFE ALL ABOUT?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO RIDE THE WAVE AND FIGURE IT OUT.

I NEVER IN ONE MILLION YEARS WANTED TO OWN A SHOP, NEVER WANTED TO OWN A STORE, I LIKE THE FREEDOM OF MY ART SHOWS, BUT I'M ENJOYING IT AND I THINK I WILL.

YOU JUST HAVE TO RIDE THE WAVE.

>> IF I PUT SOMETHING INTO MY HEAD THAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE, I DON'T GIVE UP.

THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING.

IT IS BASICALLY LIKE, I KEEP GOING AND GOING, I MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED IF NEEDED, BUT I DO NOT GIVE UP.

♪ MICHELLE: AS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING TONIGHT, GOOD IDEAS CAN COME FROM UNLIKELY SITUATIONS AND PLACES.

AS WE FOUND WHEN WE FIRST REPORTED OUR NEXT STORY LAST JANUARY, FOR A YOUNG WOMAN, FINDING WHAT SHE LOVED TO DO BEGAN WITH A GOAT.

IN 2009, RACHYL FOUND HERSELF IN A CURIOUS POSITION GROWING UP ON HER FAMILY FARM.

SHE HAD MORE GOAT'S MILK THAN SHE COULD USE.

WITH INSPIRATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR HER FAMILY, SHE CREATED HER OWN BUSINESS AND SOON FOUND HERSELF RUBBING ELBOWS WITH SOME OF RHODE ISLAND'S MOST POWERFUL POLITICIANS.

RACHYL: FARMING IS WHERE I FIND MY SERENITY.

I TAKE MY TIME BECAUSE I DO NOT WANTED TO FEEL LIKE A JOB.

MICHELLE: IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE A JOB, BUT I JUST 18 YEARS OLD, RACHYL HAS SPENT HALF HER LIFE WORKING.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

RACHYL: I AM A LATE FARMER.

I ONLY GET ABOUT 7:00, WHEREAS MOST FARMERS WILL GET ABOUT 4:00.

I GET UP AT LIKE 7:00, GO TAKE CARE OF MY GOATS, MILK THEM, TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE FARM.

MICHELLE: RACHYL HAD JUST ABOUT EVERY ANIMAL IMAGINABLE GROWING UP ON HER FARM.

BUT IT IS HER LOVE OF GOATS THAT SET HER ON A PATH SHE NEVER ANTICIPATED.

ON HER SEVENTH BIRTHDAY, SHE WAS GIVEN A GOAT NAMED BUTTERSCOTCH.

IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE RACHYL GOT MORE GOATS AND BUTTERSCOTCH HAD BABIES.

BY THE TIME SHE WAS NINE, RACHYL WAS MILKING 15 GOATS TODAY.

MICHELLE: WERE YOU OVERWHELMED?

LIKE, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

RACHYL: AT FIRST I WAS OVERWHELMED.

I HAD NO IDEA HAD NO IDEA BE GETTING 15 GALLONS OF MILK EVERY DAY.

I BECAME COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT WAS GETTING ALL THIS MILK ONCE I STARTED MAKING SOAP.

MICHELLE: SHE BROUGHT HER EXPERIMENTS TO THE KITCHEN WHERE GOAT MILK.

>> I PUT THE 30 OUNCES OF GOAT MILK, MIX IT.

TAKE THE ESSENTIAL OIL.

MIX IT FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES.

ANNETTE I'M GOING TO DRY IT FOR 24 HOURS.

IT TAKES ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

THIS IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

MICHELLE: RACHYL GAVE THE SOAP TO LOVED ONES AS GIFTS AND THE IDEA FOR A BUSINESS WAS BORN.

RACHYL: THEY CAME BACK TO ME MONTHS LATER TO BUY IT BECAUSE IT REALLY HELPED THEIR DRY SKIN OR ECZEMA OR ROSACEA AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I REALLY RESEARCHED THE OILS, WHICH ONES WERE THE BEST TO PUT IN SOAP, WHICH WERE THE BEST FOR YOUR SKIN.

I CREATED MY OWN RECIPE AND STARTED SELLING IT AT FARMERS MARKETS.

IT TOOK OFF FROM THERE.

>> KEEPING UP WITH ORDERS IS A FULL-TIME JOB.

SHE SELLS ABOUT 500 BARS OF SOAP OR WEEK ALONG WITH OTHER PRODUCTS SHE MAKES FROM GOAT MILK, INCLUDING LOTION, LIP BALM AND MAKEUP REMOVER.

HER SOAP IS BY FAR HER BIGGEST SELLER.

RACHYL: I'M GOING TO TAKE THE MIXTURE AND MIX IT WITH OILS.

TODAY WE HAVE ALL OF OIL, SOYBEAN AND COCONUT.

I MIX THEM TOGETHER WITH A HAND MIXER.

>> THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS BECOME ROUTINE FOR RACHEL.

AT NINE YEARS OLD, SHE BECAME A BUSINESS OWNER.

AT 11, SHE DECIDED SHE WANTED TO BE HOMESCHOOLED.

SHE BEGAN PUTTING MORE HOURS INTO OPERATINGHER BUSINESS.

IN 2015, IT BECAME CLEAR THIS RACHEL THEN PARTNERED WITH HER MOM AND OLDER SISTER TO RUN THE COMPANY.

COULD YOU EVER HAVE INVENTION THE BUSINESS WOULD BECOME WHAT IT IS TODAY?

RACHYL: NOT AT ALL BECAUSE IT STARTED AS A HOBBY.

IT WAS NOT IN MY WILDEST DREAMS THAT THIS IS WHERE IT WOULD COME AND I HAVE COME AS FAR AS I HAVE.

>> RACHYL MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF AS A YOUNG GIRL SELLING PEOPLE ON THE BENEFITS OF GOATS MILK.

RACHYL: GOAT MILK HAS TONS OF BENEFITS FOR -- OF BENEFITS.

IT NATURALLY REMOVES DEAD SKIN CELLS AND REPLACES THEM WITH NEW ONES.

>> SHE MOSTLY SELLS OR PRODUCTS ONLINE AND LOCAL COUNTRY STORES.

HER BIG BREAK CAME AT A FARMERS MARKET.

RACHYL: IT WAS HARD TO GET INTO MY FIRST MARK -- MY FIRST FARMERS MARKET AND THEY DON'T REALLY YET -- THEY DON'T REALLY LET YOUNGER KIDS AND FARMERS MARKETS.

I CALLED AROUND TO A TON OF FARMERS MARKETS AND THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD LET ME SELL IS THE -- MARKET.

BY THE NEXT YEAR, I HAD OTHER MARKETS CALLING ME AND ASKING ME TO BE PART OF THEIRS GIVEN WHAT I DREW.

THAT WAS REALLY COOL AS A KID, PEOPLE CALLING ME ASKING ME TO BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT MEANT SOMETHING TO THEM.

>> BEING A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR HAS BROUGHT HER RECOGNITION.

SHE HAS MET WITH GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE AND APPEARED ON THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW.

RACHEL -- RACHYL DOESN'T TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT LATELY.

>> SHE HAS MET THE GOVERNOR, SHE'S INSPIRING YOUNG GIRLS WANT TO BE ENTREPRENEURS, THAT HAS GOT TO FEEL GREAT AS A MOTHER OF EIGHT.

>> I AM PROUD OF ALL MY CHILDREN.

RACHYL IS AN OLD SOUL.

SHE KNOWS A LOT BEYOND HER YEARS.

SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOCUSED.

IF SHE WANTED SOMETHING, SHE LEARNED ABOUT IT AND SHE DID IT.

I AM VERY PROUD OF HER.

>> RACHYL LEARNED THAT A YOUNG AGE THE IMPORTANCE OF RESILIENCE.

DOZENS OF ANIMALS DIED IN A BARN FIRE.

THE FAMILY BELIEVES A HEAT LAMP THEY USED LIKELY SPARKED THE FIRE.

THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT RACHYL RECEIVED CONTINUES TO DRIVE HER.

>> I HOPE TO MAKE MY BUSINESS BIG ENOUGH TO HIRE EMPLOYEES TO WORK BECAUSE MY COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN SO MUCH, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE BACK TO THE CREATING JOBS IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> NOW IN HER SECOND YEAR AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND STUDYING BUSINESS MARKETING.

JUGGLING A BUSINESS AND SCHOOL IS NOTHING NEW.

SHE HAS BEEN WORKING AN EIGHT HOUR DAY SINCE SHE WAS 11.

>> YOU HAD TO MAKE A LOT OF SACRIFICES TO RUN THIS BUSINESS.

>> I DIDN'T GO TO MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE SOCIAL LIFE THAT OTHER KIDS EXPECTED FROM THEIR TEENAGE YEARS.

BUT I HAD MY" -- CLOSE GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT KNEW IF WE WERE HANGING OUT, WE WOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ON THE FARM AND THEY WERE ALSO RAISED THAT WAY.

THEY ALL HAD FARMS GROWING UP.

WE WERE ALWAYS REALLY CLOSE IN THAT ASPECT.

WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER, WE WERE ALWAYS WORKING AND THAT WAS NORMAL FOR US.

THAT WAS HOW MY SOCIAL LIFE WORKED OUT.

>> I'M SORRY, SUCH A NATURAL.

CAN YOU TELL?

>> IT IS FUN TO PLAY OUT HERE, SIT OUT AND WATCH HOW ANIMALS MOVE NATURALLY AND WHAT THEY DO AND THEY ARE NOT BEING WATCHED.

>> THEY ARE FOLLOWING YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> GOAT MILKING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT RACHYL HOPES HER STORY INSPIRES OTHER BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSION.

>> BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS IS CLOSE TO MY HEART.

TEACHING GIRLS THEY CAN DO ANYTHING.

YOU DON'T NEED APPROVAL FROM ANYBODY.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT, TRY IT.

IF YOU FAIL, TRY AGAIN.

MICHELLE: RACHEL AND HER FAMILY SAY BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN GOING REMARKABLY WELL THANKS IN LARGE PART TO ONLINE SALES.

NOW THAT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ARE LOOSENING, THEY ARE GETTING READY TO ATTEND FARMERS MARKETS, A BIG SOURCE OF REVENUE.

AS WE JUST SAW, RACHYL TRAVIS DREW INSPIRATION FROM HER FAMILIES FARM.

NEXT IN OUR CONTINUING SERIES, STUDENTS FROM GOFF MIDDLE SCHOOL IN PAWTUCKET ASKED THEIR TEACHERS WHAT INSPIRES THEM.

>> MY NAME IS --, I AM IN EIGHTH GRADE.

TODAY I AM GOING TO BE INTERVIEWING -- WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A TEACHER?

>> I WAS INSPIRED TO BE A TEACHER BY MY MOM AND MY GRANDMOTHER, BEST TEACHERS, -- BOTH TEACHERS.

THEY INSPIRED ME.

I HAD GREAT TEACHERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT INSPIRED ME TO MAKE IT -- MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I MAKE THE -- >> WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING?

>> MY LEAST FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING IS WHEN MY STUDENTS DON'T REALLY SEE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND THEY DON'T GIVE IT THEIR BEST, ESPECIALLY WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

I UNFORTUNATELY AM SEEING A LOT MORE THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT PUTTING FORTH THEIR BEST EFFORT.

THAT IS MY LEAST FAVORITE PART DID -- THAT IS MY LEAST FAVORITE PART.

>> WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF TEACHING?

>> THE HARDEST PART BY DISTANCE LEARNING WAS IT WAS HARDER TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH MY STUDENTS THROUGH COMPUTER.

>> WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A TEACHER?

>> MY FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING IS WHEN I SEE MY STUDENTS HAVE THAT AHA MOMENT, THEY REALLY UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO TRY ANOTHER JOB?

>> I ACTUALLY AM WORKING PART-TIME AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT RIGHT NOW.

I REALLY ENJOY IT, BUT I REALLY LOVE WHAT I DO AS A TEACHER.

I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR 17 YEARS AND I DO NOT KNOW IF I CAN SEE MYSELF DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START TEACHING?

>> I WAS A CAMP COUNSELOR INSULATOR PART -- SLATER PARK.

I DID THAT EVERY SUMMER AS A SUMMER JOB.

JUST DOING THE EVERYDAY PARKS AND ACTIVITIES.

I ENJOY DOING THAT AND I KNEW AT THAT MOMENT THAT TEACHING WAS A POSSIBILITY.

WORKING WITH YOUNG KIDS WOULD BE GOOD ROUTE FOR ME.

HAVING EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH YOUNG KIDS IS WHAT INSPIRED ME TO BE A TEACHER.

I WOULD ALSO SAY I HAD VERY GOOD TEACHERS AT GAUFF, AND AT MY HIGH SCHOOL, THAT MAY BE LOOK AT THEM AND SAY, I COULD DO THAT.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUCCESS STORY?

>> MY FAVORITE SUCCESS STORY IS WHEN STUDENTS REACH OUT TO ME AFTER MANY YEARS TO TELL ME I MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIFE.

>> WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A CLASS THAT DOESN'T STOP TALKING, OR ONE THAT DOESN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS?

>> I WOULD PREFER A CLASS OF STUDENTS WHO INTERACT AND ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS THAN ONE WHO IS QUIET.

IF THEY ARE QUIET, I CAN'T ENGAGE.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THINGS WITH ME, IT IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE ENGAGING.

FOR ME, I WOULD RATHER HAVE ALLOWED CLASS WHO ASKS LOTS OF QUESTIONS THAN A QUIET ONE.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE DAILY INS AND OUTS.

BUT MY FAVORITE THING IS WHEN A STUDENT REALLY GETS SOMETHING, THE AHA MOMENT WHEN YOU SEE THE LIGHTBULB TURN ON.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING?

>> MY FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING IS THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF IT ALL.

EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT STUDENTS BRING TO THE TABLE AND SOME DAYS ARE FRUSTRATING, SOME DAYS ARE AMAZING, SOME DAYS THE LIGHT BULBS GO ON AND YOU GET TO SEE THAT.

MY FAVORITE PART IS THE UNPREDICTABLE ABILITY.

>> OUR THANKS TO ALL OF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM GAUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL.

FINALLY, SCOTT MCKAY GIVES US A CIVICS LESSON.

SCOTT: IT IS TIME FOR A REFRESHER ON AMERICA'S CIVIC CULTURE.

IT IS AWFUL THAT A RECENT POLL FROM THE ANNENBERG INSTITUTE SHOWED THAT BARELY HALF OF AMERICANS CAN NAME THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

TOO MANY OF US DON'T KNOW WHY WORLD WAR II WAS FOUGHT, OR WHAT OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOES.

IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT LAST YEAR A GROUP OF RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL CHILDREN WENT TO FEDERAL COURT TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE CIVICS TRAINING IN SCHOOLS.

JUDGE WILLIAM SMITH DISMISSED THE CASE, BUT PRAISED THE STUDENT'S EFFORTS, SAYING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE REALIZE THAT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS IN PERIL.

HE URGED THE STATE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH CIVIC EDUCATION.

RHODE ISLAND IS A FERTILE STATE TO REVIVE THE TEACHING OF GOVERNMENT.

COLONIAL RHODE ISLAND WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE TENANTS OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SELF-GOVERNANCE.

TEACHING CIVICS AND HISTORY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DREARY RECITATION OF EVENTS.

STUDENTS CAN WORK ON PROJECTS THAT FOLLOW CURRENT EVENTS AT TOWN HALLS OR THE STATEHOUSE.

THEY CAN LEARN MEDIA LITERACY, LIKE DISTINGUISHING FACT FROM OPINION ON THE INTERNET.

THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS THAT THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE ASSEMBLY FOR REQUIRING CIVICS EDUCATION.

TO MAKE SENSE OF THEMSELVES, NATIONS NEED SOME KIND OF AGREED-UPON PAST, SAYS HISTORIAN JILL OF WAR.

"THEY CAN GET IT FROM SCHOLARS OR DEMAGOGUES, BUT GET IT THEY WILL."

MAYBE WE MADE PROFICIENCY IN CIVICS A REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

THIS WOULD BE EASY.

SIMPLY MAKE THE STUDENTS PASS THE TEST WE REQUIRE OF IMMIGRANTS SEEKING AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.

PAMELA: OUR THANKS TO SCOTT MCKAY.

MICHELLE: FROM ALL OF US HERE AT RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

♪