"Money Matters, but it's not everything," is a phrase I quote often in my class.  It is important for young people to learn the financial skills needed to succeed in their personal lives outside the classroom. We explore careers, future lifestyles, manage checking accounts, compare leasing to purchase of houses and vehicles, prepare tax returns, learn about compound interest, and other skills. 

From TEA Website: Students will investigate global economics with emphasis on the free enterprise system and its impact on consumers and businesses. Students apply critical-thinking skills to analyze financial options based on current and projected economic factors. Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to set long-term financial goals based on those options. Students will determine methods of achieving long-term financial goals through investment, tax planning, asset allocation, risk management, retirement planning, and estate planning.

Though this is a new class this year, I am excited to help students learn about the possibility of being their own boss some day. I plan to share videos from Shark Tank episodes, have guest speakers relate their own experiences in becoming entrepreneurs, have market days (similar to their 3rd grade experiences!), and have business plan competitions.

From TEA Website: Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an entrepreneur. Students will learn the principles necessary to begin and operate a business. The primary focus of the course is to help students understand the process of analyzing a business opportunity, preparing a business plan, determining feasibility of an idea using research, and developing a plan to organize and promote the business and its products and services. In addition, students understand the capital required, the return on investment desired, and the potential for profit.

UIL Academics has been my favorite activity to be involved in with students. Each year we have a theme to encourage the competitors and coaches to work hard, and we have experienced great success, taking numerous students to compete at the state level every year.

State competition has qualified students to apply for TILF scholarships, and our students have earned well over $100,000 in UIL awards, to date.

Come visit the hallways at JNHS to see the banners representing many academic titles, and when you visit the cafeteria, check out the state champions from academic, OAP, and athletics competition since JNHS' beginning.