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Today is my last JA Day of the year for my regular classes… the last regular Junior Achievement volunteer day for the school year. I have two fifth grade classes and a high school class that I have been visiting for the last few weeks. And I’m proud to say that I have done all six fifth grade classes at this elementary school. It is amazingly rewarding. The kids are VERY involved. They flow with energy and ideas… I look forward to seeing all of them each week for an hour or so.
Also, last week, I was able to visit with a couple of JA Fellows Program operation. The companies I visited with were wrapping up their operations for the year, closing out the books for the businesses, as well as finalizing their presentations for the JA Expo that was held this last weekend.
I haven’t made it a secret how much I have enjoyed my “in classroom” experiences with Junior Achievement. The engagement of the kids in the program was surprising at first… then refreshing (you hear that all kids want to do is watch TV and play video games, and it isn’t true). Finally, it is encouraging.
Talking with the kids that were involved in the Fellows Program was really cool. These kids bump it to another level. They all CHOOSE to come out during evenings… for up to 22 weeks out of the school year… and create a company, a product and a marketing plan. Then they see how they can do with the implementation of their ideas. Talk about being encouraged… Each of the kids with which I spoke was informed, engaged, well-spoken and passionate. They knew their company and their products. The adult advisers were also very connected to the kids.
Maybe YOU should check them out…
Related articles
- Kids with Something To Say… Part I (lanebailey.com)
- Photo Friday… Kids With Something to Say, Part II (lanebailey.com)
