Back in the Saddle and Ready to Adult!

Wow, it feels good to be back! After a refreshing summer break, the energy in the hallways is buzzing and I'm excited to dive headfirst into another year of shaping young minds. This year, my personal finance class is getting a rebrand – we're officially "Adulting 101"!

Why the change? Because let's be real, understanding how money works is a fundamental life skill. From budgeting and saving to investing and credit scores, "Adulting 101" will equip my students with the knowledge they need to navigate the real world with confidence. We'll cover everything from the basics of banking to the finer points of negotiating a salary. My goal? To empower these amazing young people to take control of their financial futures.

Speaking of empowering, I'm incredibly honored to share that I was recently recognized as Virginia's Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year! It's a humbling experience to be acknowledged for my passion for financial literacy, and it fuels my fire to make a real difference in the lives of my students.

And guess what? We got a major boost to kickstart our "adulting" journey! Thanks to the incredible generosity of local credit unions, we received $3,000 in grants to run our classroom economy. This means we can take our simulations to the next level – think hands-on experience with budgeting, investing, and even running their own mini-businesses.

But here's the truly exciting part: this funding allows me to create a small scholarship for my top-achieving students! It's my way of rewarding their hard work and dedication to mastering these essential life skills. I can't wait to see the incredible things they accomplish!

Level Up in Louisville!

To supercharge my teaching skills and connect with fellow educators, I recently attended the Jump$tart National Educators Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. What an incredible experience! From insightful presentations to inspiring speakers, I left feeling energized and ready to bring new ideas back to my classroom.

One of the highlights was hearing Dr. Nicholas Kardaras speak about the growing issue of digital addiction and its impact on young people. His insights were eye-opening and gave me valuable strategies to address this challenge with my students. I also attended some fantastic sessions by the NGPF team, always a goldmine of practical resources and engaging activities for teaching personal finance.

And let's not forget the closing speaker, Jeff Eben, who delivered a powerful message about finding your "wins" – those small victories that keep you motivated and focused on your goals. It was the perfect way to end an amazing conference.

This year promises to be filled with learning, growth, and a whole lot of "adulting." Stay tuned for updates on our classroom adventures!