At Junior Achievement, we believe in “possible.” Each day, we work to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams.  

I've been involved with Junior Achievement since the early 1990s – over 30 years because I see the value and the impacts JA makes! My involvement with JA started with teaching one 5th grade class and moved on to teach the curriculum for classes from 2nd grade through high school. Initially, I saw it as a way to support and be involved in the school district where I lived and to give back to my community. Today I still teach in various schools for various grade levels when I can but I am also on the Northwest Region Board of Directors and also represent our region at the state level.

What I didn’t expect when I first volunteered with JA was how my eyes would be opened to the need for the lessons that JA delivers. Kids today have so very much to learn – everything I did when I was their age, but so much more due to technology and new information! Unfortunately, there isn’t any more time to learn today than when I was a kid. I commend our teachers for all that they are able to address and teach, but the truth is that not all topics can be a priority; there is only so much time, and our schools have only so many resources.

I was really fortunate – I grew up on a dairy farm with parents that prioritized education. Because it was a family farm, they were ”around” all the time and they involved me in the business at an early age. Among other things, they taught me a good work ethic, how to save for my future, and how to balance a checkbook, and they gave me a good understanding of responsibility. I saw and experienced many aspects of a business on a daily basis.

Not all kids are as fortunate, and families today are pulled in a lot of directions with great demands on time. Sometimes the daily lessons I took for granted cannot occur and fall behind other very real needs. JA fills the gaps and brings lessons about work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial skills to kids that otherwise may not get them. And JA introduces kids to various businesses and careers they may want to prepare for and pursue.

JA has a role in helping the kids in our region learn and grow up to be successful. And if our kids can find economic success individually, that leads to success for our overall economy.

JA is set to reach more than 15,000 students this year in the Chippewa Valley and surrounding areas!  What if you truly help change their future?  What if you start today?