Educator
Whisconier Middle School absolutely LOVES the Junior Achievement program!
The students always look forward to it and have a blast learning important life lessons while participating in fun activities and playing awesome games! The program is so well designed, super engaging, and easy to teach! It truly is a rewarding experience for all participants! We are so grateful to our volunteers for taking time out of their busy schedules to give back to the community and having such a positive impact on the students! We are looking forward to continuing this program for years to come!
Educator FAQ’s
Does JA offer program resources that reach students at every grade level?
Yes. Junior Achievement programming focuses on three pathways of learning – Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and College and Career Readiness for grades K-12 and for young adults. JA programs have a variety of delivery methods that can be taught in your classroom, afterschool or outside of the classroom.
Does JA programming correlate with state standards for education?
Yes. JA programs follow the Common Core State Standards in English, Language Arts, and Mathematics, as well as the CT Academic Standards for Social Studies. We provide a multidisciplinary approach to learning, connecting information across disciplines such as economics, geography, history, government, and civics while incorporating mathematical concepts, reasoning, and language arts skills for students in grades K to 12. JA program is intended to be an enhancement, or complement, to classroom and virtual learning. Explore our JA Program Resources Page here for a full list of program options.
Can my school participate in the JA-in-a-Day program? If yes, how do I sign up?
Yes. JA-in-a-day is one of the delivery options available. JA staff will work with the administration and/or school coordinator on the best option for your school and determine which grades will participate. JA staff will recruit classroom volunteers to teach the program in your classroom. JA-in-a-Day program can be administered to select grade levels, or to the whole school. This program is typically offered to elementary and middle school students (grades K to 8). Click here to get access to a downloadable copy .
How do I register students for JA in-Classroom program using my login?
Please click here to obtain your downloadable copy of the JA Learning Platform Quick Start Guide for Educators and Volunteers. The guide will help you gain access to multiple in-classroom JA program resources, understand student enrollment procedures, and use the login credentials provided to you by your JA staff contact.
What materials will the volunteer use in my classroom?
Junior Achievement provides all materials needed to the volunteers. This includes a detailed lesson plan book and any materials such as student worksheets, posters, games and activities needed for the lessons. Some JA programs are delivered through our online JA Learning Platform, or have components available in an online format, which will require your volunteer to access the classroom Smart Board.
Does JA offer a financial literacy program for students at every grade level?
Yes. JA’s Financial Literacy Program is offered to all students in grades K to 12. Our volunteer-led program covers a broad range of financial topics. They include: How to plan a budget; building and maintaining a savings plan; learning the importance of making good financial decisions; and how to build good credit. As a result, students leave the program feeling empowered and prepared to navigate their financial futures. Explore our JA Program Resources Page here for a full list of program options.
Does JA provide a training guide to help educators teach in-class JA programs?
Yes. JA staff will review the program materials, roles and responsibilities and training guide with educators. Click here to get access to your downloadable copy. It is a great resource to help you understand JA’s mission, to get important educator information, obtain a program implementation checklist, gain insight into the features and benefits of JA Program, and to find answers to your most common questions.
What is the role of a volunteer vs. my role as classroom teacher during JA programs?
Please click here to obtain a comprehensive list of teacher vs. volunteer roles in the classroom. This list is differentiated by category – Planning, During Class, and After Completion. We hope that you will find the explanation of roles to be a helpful tool as you plan for your in-classroom program.
What benefit is JA to my students?
- Students learn important lessons around Junior Achievements 3 pillars: financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship.
- Community and local business volunteers provide real world expertise, sharing their life experiences to help students connect learning to the real world.
- Experiential style learning for students through fun hands on activities.
- Curriculum that is researched, developed, and provided by Junior Achievement in alignment with CT state curriculum requirements and Common Core Standards.
- Allows for community involvement in education by connecting an outside role model with the classroom.
- Students improve essential soft skills such as the ability to communicate, work in a team setting, negotiate with colleagues, and assume leadership roles.
- Encourages career exploration, planning for the future, and higher education to achieve the goals they set.
- JA programs are free to schools; funded by local businesses, foundations, and individuals.
How often will a volunteer visit my classroom?
- You and your JA volunteer work together to determine a start date and set a schedule for the lessons. Elementary grade programs consist of 5 lessons, Middle School programs are 6 lessons, and High School programs range from 5 to 13 lessons.
- The frequency of classroom visits is also determined by you and your volunteer. For example, scheduling a lesson per week over a 5 week period.
Testimonials
Your efforts have truly helped students bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world work environments. We appreciate your partnership, which has created invaluable learning opportunities for our students and our faculty. With your support, we have been able to offer our students a range of real-world experiences that have enhanced their learning and career possibilities.