Dozens of Iowa students will get new lessons on personal finance in class, thanks to Iowa JumpStart Coalition and its parent organization. The Coalition sent 20 Iowa teachers to the 5th annual JumpStart National Educator Conference in Chicago several weeks ago.
“The national conference offered hundreds of classroom educators an opportunity to see, learn about, and try new personal financial resources to bring their lesson plans to life,” said JumpStart regional director and organizer Dan Hebert. Teachers also had opportunities to meet with finance and education leaders and network with colleagues from across the country.
Through a generous contribution from the Iowa Division of Banking, Iowa JumpStart paid all costs for any Iowa teacher who wanted to attend. Here’s what they had to say:
“First, please convey my appreciation to the Iowa Jumpstart Coalition for sponsoring so many of us so we could attend the National Conference. It was a great conference loaded with lots of wonderful information and resources. The accommodations were outstanding. As teachers we are not used to being wined and dined. I spent a number of years as a home economist in business and this conference reminded me of many of those meetings I attended. Again, thanks for this wonderful opportunity.”
Mary Burgher, Clear Creek Amana High School
“I loved the conference and it was very beneficial. I appreciate the support.”
Ken Burrow, Business Education Teacher, Waverly-Shell Rock High School
“The conference was wonderful!”
Charlet Daft, Basics and Beyond, Newton Community Schools
“Thank you for sending us to the Jump$tart conference. Tim and I had a wonderful time and took away a lot of valuable information. I’m looking forward to the Iowa conference next summer and possibly attending another national conference in the future.“
Bethany Hadley, HS Math Instructor, Sigourney Community Schools
“Thank you for all your help in funding and communication about the conference in Chicago last weekend. I came back with wonderful lessons, reference materials, and contacts. I had a great time. Thank you for the wonderful experience and opportunity to network with financial experts. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
Rhonda Hawkins, Business Teacher/MO Coordinator
“Thanks again for everything you (and the others) did for us at the conference.”
Larry Heltenberg, Central Decatur School District
“Thanks for allowing me to go. It was a fantastic experience!”
Mike Johnson, High School Economics Teacher, Southeast Polk High School
“As I have stated before, ‘Thank you’ for paying for this conference. I did enjoy it, and did learn a lot about financial literacy, and the material to teach it to my students.”
Jim Moeller, BCLUW High School
“Again, thanks to Jump$tart for paying for the conference, parking, mileage and tolls. I can’t wait to go through everything this weekend! “
Marcey Norland, North Union MS Math Teacher
“Thanks again for sponsoring me to attend National JumpStart. I had a wonderful time!”
Cindy Weeks, Roosevelt High School
“I didn’t realize that Iowa JumpStart was picking up the registration and travel costs for the conference! That’s amazing! I think this is one of the best conferences I’ve attended in all my years of teaching – and I’ve been teaching for 28 years! I was able to pick up so much good information and a lot of valuable resources that I will be using in my Personal Finance classes. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity!”
Deanna Weinschenk, Pleasant Valley High School
On April 1st, Governor Brandstad proclaimed April as Financial Literacy Awareness Month.
Iowa Jump$tart Coalition 