It has been four months since five of our dedicated Iowa educators returned from the 2025 Jump$tart National Educator Conference (NEC) in Boston, and the energy from that weekend is still fueling classrooms across our state.
A Special Partnership for Iowa Educators: This incredible opportunity was made possible through a vital partnership with National Jump$tart and local partners here in Iowa. We are excited to share that our partners at the Youth Development Fund were largely responsible for providing the funding needed for these five Iowa teachers. Their commitment to educator growth ensures that Iowa’s teachers don’t just have “resources,” but have access to the absolute best professional development in the country.
A Quick Flashback: What is the Jump$tart NEC?
The Jump$tart NEC is the nation’s premier event dedicated exclusively to PreK-12 financial literacy. This three-day experience provides teachers with 15 hours of professional development, hands-on “Monday-morning ready” classroom resources, and deep dives into modern topics like cryptocurrency and the digital economy. Thanks to generous underwriters and the support of the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition, selected teachers attend on full scholarships that cover registration, lodging, and meals—creating a unique, “all-expenses-paid” opportunity to join a massive “extended educator family” committed to student success.
Insights from Our 2025 Attendees
The impact of the conference remains clear in the words of the teachers who represented Iowa in Boston:
“What an absolutely exhilarating time. This was my favorite of the Jump$tart conferences I’ve been to as each of my breakout sessions provided me with multiple curriculum takeaways, the speakers they brought in were incredibly strong and motivational, and the way they appreciated teachers was, as always, top-notch. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity!”
— Kevin Gartman – Montezuma Community School
“My experience at my first Jumpstart NEC was nothing short of amazing! I finally feel like I understand Cryptocurrency a little more… Being able to connect with other personal finance teachers, hear their stories and learn about the things they are doing is incredibly valuable. I feel like I gained this incredibly huge extended educator family from this weekend and I hope I can attend again in the future.”
— Elizabeth Brittain – Audubon High School
Other teachers from Iowa that were able to attend were:
- Tracy Weber – Bellevue Middle/High School
- Carissa Lewis – Ames Community School District
- Linda Vanden Bosch – Clarinda Community Schools
Looking Ahead: Will You Join Us in Colorado?
If you missed out on the Boston trip, don’t worry—it’s already time to start looking toward the horizon! The 2026 Jump$tart National Educator Conference is heading to the mountains. Mark your calendars for November 6-8, 2026, at the spectacular Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.
How can you get there? Scholarship Applications: National scholarship applications are expected to open on April 1, 2026. Click the button below to apply.
- Iowa Support: Stay tuned to the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition for updates on how we plan to support our local teachers for the 2026 event.
Don’t miss your chance to recharge your passion and bring world-class financial resources back to your Iowa students. We hope to see you in the Rockies!
Iowa Jump$tart Coalition 