Author

Lisa Wright

Our network of K-12 teachers is EVERFI’s heartbeat. That’s why we’ve launched Educator Spotlights: Stories from the Classroom. Every couple of months, we’ll invite you inside the classrooms of inspiring educators to get a glimpse into how and why they keep doing what they do. Enjoy!

“My Principal then told me that because of me and my class, he and his wife are getting lectured on how to better budget and handle their money when they make purchases.”


Teacher:  Kim Kramer

Subject:  Family and Consumer Sciences

School:  JSW Middle School, Pennsylvania

Resource:  FutureSmart (Grades 6-8)

Kim is passionate about teaching her students smart money habits before they reach high school. Pennsylvania Schools Manager Alyssa talked to Kim to see why she chose FutureSmart to engage her class.

What personal impact do you hope FutureSmart will have on your students?

It is my hope that students will gain a better understanding of finance by completing the FutureSmart program.  As 8th graders, they are just now starting to really care about money and have the desire to look towards the future (college, jobs, buying cars, etc.).  It’s important that I begin to lay down the foundation of those principles.  Budgeting, banking, saving, planning for the future…these are all concepts that kids are not too young to learn about- in fact they need to. For most people, money is the biggest stressor in their life…and it’s not always about how much you make, but how you budget and handle the money you do make.  So my hope is that because of this program, they will make better decisions related to money now and into their future.

What is one piece of advice you would pass on to a teacher using FutureSmart for the first time?

Kim’s 8th Grade Class

My advice to teachers using it for the first time is to have ear buds readily available for students to use.  Having the avatar “talk to students” is a great tool(especially for kids who do need assistance with reading), and having ear buds allows student to use this tool without disrupting other students, especially since it’s a self-paced program.  I would also suggest being prepared to work one-on-one with students who may struggle with the assessments and of course taking the time to read through the essay questions to clarify student understanding.

What is your funniest teaching story?

One of the funniest stories is when I had my principal’s son in my Family & Consumer Sciences class, where I taught units on such topics as Cooking, Nutrition, and Financial Management…including this EVERFI course.  After the semester ended, my principal called me aside and told me that I was in trouble.  I had this shocked look on my face like, “What did I do?”  He then jokingly told me that because of me and my class, he and his wife are now getting lectured and corrected daily on proper safety tips when cooking in the kitchen, how they should eat healthier, and how to better budget and handle their money when they make purchases.  We both laughed.   He said that as annoying as it can be, he’s knows his son paid attention in class and he’s actually learning from him!  He and his wife are now trying to be more conscientious and mindful about being good role models when it comes to teaching their kids good spending habits and the importance of saving for the future.

Learn more about FutureSmart

Want to share a story from your classroom? Email Lisa at [email protected].

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