Advocating Life Lessons

Author: Hannah Henry
Work Readiness
Published: Tuesday, 12 Dec 2017

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Jane Carlson, a Career Education Coordinator at Thousand Oaks High School in California has experienced the impact of Junior Achievement programs from parents AND students.

Through Junior Achievement programs Carlson feels that her students are not only more knowledgeable about their personal finances and the importance of saving, but they are also more aware and prepared for what it takes in order to succeed in the "real world."

Adding to student success she's observed as a result JA programs, one of her students revealed that she aspired to start preparing for her future right away. "She was inspired to make it a habit starting now of paying all her own expenses for clothing, entertainment, and her share of the family utility costs, rather than wait until she is older to adjust to paying those expenses. She now contributed to her family by giving her parents a monthly check. Little does she know that they are secretly saving that money for her college tuition," reported Carlson.

As her current students prepare for high school graduation, she has received requests from parents for their child to revisit Junior Achievement programs. "Now that graduation and college expenses are approaching, the parents are wanting their seniors to go back to JA Finance Park in order to build upon their budgeting skills," Carlson said.

"The parents report how surprised they were when they picked up their students after JA Finance Park and heard the words, "Thank you, I didn't realize how much you have to pay for our living expenses." The students became more appreciative of the money spent on their behalf," said Carlson.

Her enthusiasm and engagement with Junior Achievement within her high school classroom has resulted in her winning Junior Achievement of Southern California's Teacher of the Year. Welcoming Junior Achievement programs into her classroom is something she plans on continuing as she's experienced the value behind preparing students for their futures with JA on her side.