Category: News/Accolades

Member Minute, News/Accolades

March 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Kevin Gartman is the 8-12 Business Teacher at Montezuma Community School. He is also a DECA Advisor, Varsity Cross Country Coach, JH Girls Track Coach, and Lead Teacher (Curriculum Development).

Kevin began teaching Personal Finance as a business elective when he joined Montezuma nine years ago. As the sole business teacher, he had the flexibility to choose his courses. While the previous teacher taught Accounting, he found it less engaging and believed that if a teacher lacks enthusiasm for a subject, students will too. Passionate about financial literacy, he introduced Personal Finance instead.

Growing up without formal financial education, Kevin learned through experience—losing money in poorly diversified investments, struggling to understand insurance plans, and navigating credit on his own. These challenges fueled his desire to ensure students gain the financial knowledge he lacked.

Upon arriving in Montezuma, Kevin noticed a stark economic divide—some families lived comfortably at the lake, while others in town struggled to make ends meet. He is committed to equipping all students with financial skills, helping them break cycles of financial instability and achieve their goals. While families with financial knowledge often pass it down, those without it struggle to do so. He aims to bridge this gap, ensuring every student—regardless of background—leaves his class with the tools to make informed financial decisions and build a secure future.

Favorite Classroom Resources: Kevin has many favorite resources, which constantly evolve. Over time, he has explored various curricula, selecting the best elements from each to create his own customized packets and assignments. While he primarily utilizes NGPF content, he believes valuable resources can be found in many places.

Kevin first connected with Iowa Jump$tart through its challenges and national resources, which ultimately led him back to the state-level organization. He quickly discovered that the National Personal Finance Challenge, hosted by Iowa Jump$tart, is one of his students’ favorite learning experiences of the year—and one of his own. The opportunity to apply their semester-long knowledge, rather than simply reciting definitions, helps students develop real-world financial skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom. He believes this hands-on experience is far more impactful than any slide deck and is grateful to Iowa Jump$tart for making it possible.

When Kevin is not teaching or coaching, he spends his time with his family. He and his wife, Kelli, have two boys, Coy and Clay, who keep them busy, and he enjoys watching them grow and learn each day. A passionate sports fan, he enjoys playing fantasy football, watching the NFL, college football, and college basketball, and keeping up with Iowa sports through various podcasts.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

February 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Jessi McQuerrey is the Director of Programs at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation. For over 40 years, the ABI Foundation has served Iowans through educational programs that promote civic engagement and strengthen the state’s workforce. Their initiatives include Business Horizons Leadership Iowa University, Leadership Iowa, and Elevate Advanced Manufacturing. At Business Horizons, a five-day summer program for high school students, participants launch a mock business, gaining valuable insights into the costs of starting a business. The program also includes personal finance education, where students learn about scholarships, saving, and budgeting, with guidance from financial literacy expert Adam Carroll.

The ABI Foundation has long partnered with organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Iowa Society of CPAs, and Iowa Jump$tart, all of which help provide year-round financial literacy programs. These partnerships enhance there sources available to students, teachers, and businesses in Iowa, ensuring more opportunities for financial education.

Since joining the ABI Foundation in 2014, Jessi has managed various leadership and education programs, connecting students, professionals, and businesses across the state. She strives to create shared experiences that develop future leaders and bridge the gap between education and industry. Her work includes representing the Foundation among education-focused stakeholder groups to ensure business perspectives are included in educational discussions.

Jessi is proud to be a longtime partner of Iowa Jump$tart. She values the collaboration, noting that no single organization can address all educational needs on its own. Partnerships like this help create equitable access to high-quality financial literacy programming, which is crucial for preparing a future-ready workforce.

Outside of her work in financial literacy, Jessi enjoys volunteering in education and leadership development. She also loves spending time with her husband, KJ, their dog, Jack, and exploring local shops and restaurants in West Des Moines.

News/Accolades

January 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Shannon Gerard is the Vice President of Education at Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Iowa, where she has dedicated over 6.5 years to advancing financial literacy education. In her current role, Shannon oversees a team that delivers JA’s impactful programs to over 38,000 students each year across Central Iowa. JA’s curriculum spans financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship, with programs available for students from kindergarten through high school, as well as workforce readiness for young adults up to age 25.

One of the highlights of Shannon’s work includes managing JA’s signature experiential learning programs, such as JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, where students engage in hands-on financial decision-making and career exploration. These programs, along with classroom lessons, high school competitions, job shadowing experiences, and summer camps, help students develop the skills needed to thrive in the real world.

As a proud member of the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition, Shannon sees firsthand how the group’s efforts enrich financial literacy education across the state. ” This group is focused on enriching and empowering young people to have bright futures and that is what JA is all about!” Shannon shares. “Financial literacy is often something we discover after our K-12 experience out of necessity, and Junior Achievement is here to introduce and help students re-write that narrative.”

Outside of her work in financial literacy, Shannon enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also loves cooking, doing yoga, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Shannon’s work with Junior Achievement continues to make a lasting impact, ensuring young people in Central Iowa are better equipped to make informed financial decisions and achieve their career and entrepreneurial goals.

For more information about Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, visit https://centraliowa.ja.org/.

News/Accolades

2024 Financial Skills for Smart Living Educator Retreat at University of Northern Iowa

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Date: September 27, 2024
Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Who is it for: 9-12 Educators

Sign up today to reFRESH. reNEW. reFOCUS.

We are pleased to invite you to the 2024 Financial Skills for Smart Living Retreat, a transformative conference designed for educators dedicated to empowering students with essential financial skills. As we prepare for the 2024-25 school year, this retreat will provide the latest tools, strategies, and insights to make your financial literacy lessons more impactful. Highlights include an overview of updated curriculum, a review of the FIT certification, new Budget Game and Stock Market Game simulations, using AI to customize instruction, Pear Deck for interactivity, a recognition of excellence, an expert panel, and networking opportunities.

For just $50.00, you’ll enjoy a full day of sessions, meals, and a back-to-school kit. Plus, the first 100 high school teachers to sign up and attend the full day will receive a $100 stipend, and an additional $50 for completing the FIT certification by August 16, 2024. Join us to enhance your teaching toolkit and make a lasting impact on your students’ financial futures. Sign up today!

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Job Opportunity, News/Accolades

Iowa Insurance Division High School Internships

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Who:  High School Juniors or Seniors, High School counselors, Parent of a High School Junior or Senior

What:  A paid summer internship with the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) for a qualifying junior or senior high school student

When: A 10-week program beginning approximately June 3, 2024

Where:  IID Office located at 1963 Bell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 

Are you aware of a junior or senior high school student in Iowa trying to decide what career field they wish to pursue? The Iowa Insurance Division has an opportunity we would like you to share with them where they will gain real world experience in the insurance industry through an internship as an insurance regulator. A student interested in areas of accounting, actuary science, computer science, data analytics, mathematics, economics, marketing, insurance or securities sales, investigations or prosecutions of administrative insurance law violations, criminal fraud investigations, insurance legislation and rulemaking, or communications may find this unique opportunity extremely appealing.   

Iowa is known as a global insurance hub, largely due to being the home of more than 214 domestic insurance companies.  Iowa’s insurance industry offers the most rewarding careers.  The insurance industry protects people’s livelihoods, builds wealth for the future, supports Iowa’s diverse economy and gives back generously to communities.  There are approximately 60,000 jobs in Iowa’s insurance industry with salaries 2.3 times higher than Iowa’s average salary.

Students will gain knowledge and exposure to the Iowa Insurance Division’s responsibilities to protect consumers by effectively and efficiently providing a fair, flexible, and positive regulatory environment.  Students chosen for this role will participate in performing our regulatory duties in addition to receiving insurance education course work.  These individuals will learn about the Iowa Insurance Division’s role in state-based insurance regulation, which includes the supervision of insurance companies, insurance agencies, and insurance agents. In addition to learning about each line of insurance (auto, home, life, health, etc.) the interns will also assist with evaluating insurance company market conduct and consumer complaints for compliance with state insurance regulations.

We offer competitive compensation, flexible work hours, and telework opportunities.  This opportunity is available for students across the state of Iowa.  The office location is in Des Moines however there are opportunities to work remotely up to 2 days per week with the balance of the week in our Des Moines office location.  Any junior or senior high school student who would like to explore an employment opportunity within the insurance industry through a summer internship with the Iowa Insurance Division may send a cover letter and resume to internships@iid.iowa.gov.  

More information may be found on our website. Apply today to insure your future tomorrow! Applications accepted through January 15, 2024.

News/Accolades

Thanks to all who attended the 2023 Iowa Jump$tart Conference!

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The annual educators conference was a great success!  Nearly 70 attendees spent the day at the DMACC Urban Campus, which provided a fantastic central location in downtown Des Moines near the Iowa State Fair.  The day was full of sessions, networking opportunities, food and activities.  Keynote speaker, Adam Carroll, set the stage with his financial literacy wisdom and a reminder to attendees that we can help young Iowans become capable and informed on financial matters.  Educators wishing to earn license renewal credit have until September 15th to complete their requirements. 

Kyle Osborn, Iowa JumpStart Coalition Board Member and Director of Financial Literacy for the TS Institute, received the 2023 Iowa JumpStart Member of the Year Award and was recognized for his many efforts with the Iowa Personal Finance and Iowa Economics Challenges.  A special thank you to all the presenters, exhibitors, and JumpStart members who made the day possible.

See more information and pictures of our conference on our website.

News/Accolades

Agenda for the Summer Conference is Released!

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The agenda for the conference is packed with new and exciting sessions for our Iowa teachers. There are 15 sessions available that are scheduled in three rooms. Some of our new sessions include ChatGPT and Money Psychology. It doesn’t stop there though. Check out the entire lineup below! Our conference is free and includes a free lunch! Be sure to share the information about our conference with other teachers. Find all the details and register on our conference page!

2023-jumpstart-conference-agendaDownload

News/Accolades, Upcoming Events

Registration is open for our Summer Conference

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Visit our conference page for all the details!

The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition is excited to announce the 21st Annual Personal Finance Conference will be held on August 10th, 2023 at the DMACC Urban Campus in Des Moines, IA. We would love for you to join us for a day full of learning where you are sure to come away with education around your personal finances as well as strategies and resources that you can use with your students at the start of the school year! Keep an eye on further announcements and announcements regarding the conference and feel free to register or submit a session proposal using the links below.

Contests, News/Accolades

The 2023 Econ and Finance Challenges were a huge success!

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The 2023 Personal Finance Challenge and Iowa Economics Challenge saw more than 1,000 students, teachers, and volunteers involved over the course of the 2022-2023 school year. Both events test the knowledge and skills of middle and high school students: the Personal Financial Challenge tests students on income, money management, spending, credit, saving, and investing and the Economics Challenge utilizes Quiz Bowl style exams on economic knowledge.

The Personal Finance Challenge hosted two competitions this school year. The Fall 2022 competition ran from September to December with 745 students and 12 teachers participating. The Spring 2023 competition had 637 students and 8 teachers competing from January to March. The two competitions culminated in 60 students, fifteen teams of four, competing for 1st , 2nd , and 3rd place on April 12th at Drake University and resulted in more than $2,000 in prizes to the participants.

The Economics Challenge hosts competitions in three divisions: Adam Smith for returning competitors, AP, IB, and honors students; David Ricardo for first time competitors; and Milton Friedman for middle school students (grades 6-8). This year saw 163 students and 7 teachers competing in fall and spring challenges. The final challenge brought 80 students (twenty teams of four students) to Drake University on April 19th, with winners taking home prizes totaling more than $2,000.

A great big thank you to the twenty volunteers and also to the sponsors, without whom these events would not be possible: Iowa Division of Banking, The Harkin Institute, Drake University, University of Northern Iowa, ISL Education Lending, and TS Institute.

News/Accolades

Governor Proclaims April 2023 as Financial Literacy Awareness Month

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In this month of April, Iowa Jump$tart would like to encourage all Iowans to take a moment to think about how they can improve their financial capabilities.  Maybe make a goal to read a book or take a community class.  If you need guidance, Iowa Jump$tart and its many partners will gladly help you find resources to help you reach your goals.  This year we are hosting several students for the Financial Literacy Challenge and the Economics Challenge in the month of April to help promote awareness. When you look at it’s core, money is important to our survival and quality of life.  We know how difficult it can be to pay back college loans, to pay taxes, to understand insurance, or to recover from a financial loss like divorce or natural disaster.  We are all in this together.