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Forty-three business volunteers from FedEx, Security Service Federal Credit Union, and ANB Bank recently gathered bright and early to go back to elementary school. The volunteers were serving as teachers with Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado (JA) in a day program at Monterey Elementary in Harrison School District 2.

As the school bell rang, they gathered for a brief meeting and then paired with a student ambassador who introduced them to the classroom. The volunteers taught in the class until lunchtime, followed by a short afternoon session.

These business partners are seasoned volunteers with JA, sharing their business skills and building community with local youth. Their take away is genuine appreciation for our future leaders’ willingness to learn about JA’s three pillars: entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy.

JA’s purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in the American free enterprise system. In southern Colorado, JA reaches more than 30,000 students in over 1,200 classrooms at 200 schools. All of the JA programs correlate with Colorado academic standards, so they align with the curriculum in each grade level.

Local business volunteers teach all JA programs, committing to spending an average of five to six hours in the classroom for the school day and receiving training prior to entering the classroom. Each volunteer shares his or her business experience while using JA-provided materials throughout the day. In elementary programs, drawing and games are used. In middle and high school programs, students take personal inventories of their skills to use in mock scenarios.

Find out more about becoming a volunteer with Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado by visiting southerncolorado.ja.org or calling 636-2474 Ext. 1027.