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Business/Finance
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Middleton High School Students Develop Financial Literacy Program for

Middle School Students

“The earlier you learn how money
works, the better prepared you’ll be to make
smart choices later on,” Chen said. “Once
you start to understand it, you realize how
useful it is and how much power it gives you
to take control of your future.”
She said they use interactive financial
literacy games to keep the class fun.
“You can see their energy shift once
they understand that it’s not going to be
another typical class,” Chen said.
Pientka likes seeing students’ excite-
ment when they grasp how finance is
connected to their lives.
“They often tell us stories about how
they tried budgeting at home or taught their
siblings something they learned in class,”
Pientka said. “It is really cool to see that
what we are teaching sticks and that they
are proud of what they learned. Seeing stu-
dents have those ‘aha’ moments makes it all
worth it.” demic knowledge to the community, gaining
Boehm noted that in addition to con- perspective and developing a sense of
Carrie Brooker, Public Relations Specialist Pientka said. “It has helped us turn what we responsibility.”
Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District are learning in FBLA about business, com- necting with students on financial literacy,
Chen and Pientka are learning the impor-
Middleton High School juniors Sophia munication, and teamwork into something tance of giving back.
Chen and Sophia Pientka are teaching that makes a real difference in our commu- “It’s essential for building charac-
middle school students about financial liter- nity.” ter and leadership,” Boehm said. “When www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us
acy through their Finance for Life program. Middleton High School teacher and students give back, they connect their aca-
Chen and Pientka developed the youth FLBA advisor Bill Boehm said their work
financial literacy initiative this summer, embodies the FBLA mission to inspire and
hosting workshops online and at the Mid- prepare students to become community-
dleton Public Library. This semester they minded business leaders in a global society PHS Teacher Receives Governor’s
began teaching Kromrey Middle School and through relevant career preparation and
Glacier Creek Middle leadership experiences. Financial Literacy Award
School students how to “It shows how
create budgets, make “The earlier you learn students can take their Plymouth School District of an effective financial literacy and capa-
smart spending choices, how money works, the better classroom learning and Congratulations bility program or program element within
and see how compound prepared you’ll be to make leadership training to to Plymouth High the last two years; emphasis on financial
interest helps money smart choices later on,” solve a critical issue,” School business edu- inclusion, demonstrated measurable results;
grow over time. Boehm said. “Seeing cation teacher Todd collaboration with partners; and scalability
They’re aiming Chen said. “Once you start Sophia Chen and Sophia Williams, recently of the program design.
to teach their classes to understand it, you realize Pientka launch Finance awarded a Gov- Mr. Williams was one of three teach-
monthly with the goal how useful it is and how for Life demonstrates ernor’s Financial ers recognized in the individual category
of helping students build much power it gives you to their real-world impact Literacy Award! for providing exceptional financial literacy
financial literacy skills take control of your future.” and their drive to apply Mr. Williams was and capability education in an inclusive and
early and feel confident business education for one of 11 individuals innovative manner.
managing money. the greater good.” and 8 organizations The council was impressed by his
“So far, we’ve visited both MCPASD Chen likes connecting what she’s learn- honored by Wisconsin’s Governor in a cer- innovative teaching methods and vision-
middle schools, and we hope to expand to ing in FBLA with their goals for Finance for emony April 29 at the State Capitol for their ary leadership for making a lasting impact
other schools in the District throughout the Life. efforts in helping Wisconsinites build financial on students, colleagues, and the broader
year,” Chen said. “We’re excited to continue “It’s been really cool to see how what literacy and capability skills. educational community. As examples,
expanding and hope to reach as many com- we learn in FBLA actually connects to some- “Financial education gives people they noted that he was an early adopter
munities as possible.” thing we’re passionate about,” she said. the tools they need to achieve their goals, of SecureFutures’ Money Path learning
Chen and Pientka are members of Mid- She and Pientka want to show students expand new opportunities, and help attain tool, and that he initiated a Reality Check
dleton High School’s chapter of the Future that finance isn’t boring and that they need financial security for themselves and their Simulation Day that has led more than
Business Leaders of America (FBLA). financial skills for everyday life. families,” said the Governor. “I thank these 85 percent of PHS students to develop a
Though they started Finance for Life on their “Whether it is understanding saving, dedicated individuals and organizations for budget and savings plan.
own after recognizing a need for a stronger spending, or setting goals, these lessons all they have done to help advance financial
personal finance understanding among their give them tools to make smarter choices as wellness in Wisconsin, and I congratulate
peers, it’s now their FBLA chapter’s official they get older,” Pientka said. “Our goal is them for receiving this prestigious award.” www.plymouth.k12.wi.us
community service project. to make finance approachable, practical, and Recipients were selected by the Gov-
“Through FBLA, we have been able to empowering.” ernor’s Council on Financial Literacy and
connect financial education to leadership, Chen said that the earlier students are Capability from nominations using the fol-
entrepreneurship, and community service,” comfortable with finance, the better. lowing criteria: innovative implementation