Junior Achievement of the Heartland is part of the international Junior Achievement organization and serves 24 counties across Iowa and Illinois. The organization works with students to help them connect what they learn in the classroom to everyday life while developing the skills they need to make informed decisions about their futures.
This year marks a major milestone for Junior Achievement of the Heartland as the organization celebrates its 70th anniversary. What began by serving 155 students has grown into an organization reaching approximately 63,000 students throughout its service area.
One of the organization’s goals is to give students opportunities to experience potential careers and responsibilities rather than simply learning about them through traditional classroom lessons. Those hands-on experiences can help students discover what they enjoy, while also showing them career paths that may not be the right fit.
In the Sauk Valley, Junior Achievement of the Heartland currently works with 12 schools and serves more than 1,200 students. Local students have participated in programs including JA BizTown, JA Inspire, Stock Market Challenge, and the JA Titan competition.
Those programs rely heavily on community support. Last year, approximately 80 community volunteers helped Junior Achievement provide these experiences to students in the Sauk Valley.
Bringing the Real World Into the Classroom
JA BizTown is one of Junior Achievement’s best-known programs and allows fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students to experience what it is like to operate within a simulated community.
Before participating, students complete classroom lessons covering topics such as business operations, different workplace roles, loans, checking and savings accounts, payroll, and other financial concepts. They then take those lessons into a hands-on environment where they become business leaders and community members.
Students take on positions such as CEO, CFO, and CMO while also participating as citizens. They vote, hear from a simulated mayor, and experience the responsibilities that come with operating a business and participating in a community.
The program provides students with an opportunity to see concepts in action and understand how different pieces of a business and community work together.
JA Inspire offers another hands-on opportunity for students, connecting them with businesses and different career fields. Students learn about industries before attending the event and then explore different career zones where businesses provide interactive experiences.
The goal is not simply to introduce students to potential employers. Instead, JA Inspire gives them a chance to experience different industries and determine what interests them as they begin thinking about their futures.
For high school students, programs such as Stock Market Challenge and JA Titan provide opportunities to apply classroom lessons through computer-based simulations.
Stock Market Challenge allows students to experience a simulated trading environment, while JA Titan puts students in the role of running a cell phone company. Students make decisions involving areas such as research and development, marketing, and other aspects of operating a business.
The programs also provide opportunities for students to earn scholarships.
Community Support Makes the Programs Possible
While Junior Achievement provides the curriculum and structure, volunteers play an important role in bringing those lessons to life.
Community members can volunteer in classrooms, participate in Junior Achievement events, or serve as career speakers. The organization provides volunteers with materials, workbooks, activities, and other resources designed to make it easy to lead the lessons.
Junior Achievement also works with teachers who want to incorporate the curriculum themselves. Teachers can review the available programs and adapt lessons to fit their classrooms and schedules.
The organization offers more than 25 curriculum options covering students from kindergarten through high school. The curriculum is available online for teachers and others interested in learning more about what Junior Achievement offers.
How Schools and Families Can Get Involved
For families whose schools do not currently participate in Junior Achievement programs, Hegland encourages parents and community members to advocate for the programs within their schools.
Teachers can play an especially important role in bringing Junior Achievement into classrooms. Parents can ask teachers and school administrators whether programs such as JA BizTown, JA Inspire or other classroom opportunities are available.
Junior Achievement also welcomes community members who want to support students without having a child enrolled in one of its programs.
Volunteers are needed as the organization continues expanding its reach. Businesses and community organizations can also support Junior Achievement through event sponsorships.
Celebrating 70 Years of Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement of the Heartland is planning a special 70th anniversary celebration on October 8 at its BizTown and Finance Park location.
The event will allow community members to visit the facility, learn more about Junior Achievement, and experience some of the hands-on activities that students encounter through its programs.
The celebration is also designed to give adults a chance to experience Junior Achievement firsthand and see how the organization brings financial literacy, business concepts, and career exploration to life.
With programs ranging from kindergarten through high school, Junior Achievement of the Heartland continues working to prepare students for life beyond the classroom while strengthening connections between schools, businesses and communities.
For more information about Junior Achievement of the Heartland, including volunteer opportunities, curriculum, sponsorships and upcoming events, visit heartland.ja.org.
Along the Rock is produced by the Radar Free Press. The Radar Free Press is free to the public and relies on community support through likes, shares, and comments.
If you have any questions for recurring guests or episode ideas, please email us at alongtherock@theradar.online.
