Cleburne ISD is seeking parent, business and community volunteers to assist with the launch of Junior Achievement for elementary learners.

Junior Achievement is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

                Beginning in the second semester of the school year, a series of 45-minute grade-level lessons developed by Junior Achievement will be introduced—with volunteers as the presenters. The classroom sessions will engage students in a variety of concepts, tailored for specific age groups, relating to financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, along with social studies and the exploration of commerce.

                “Volunteers are an important part of this initiative as they share their own experiences in presenting the lessons and materials,” Michelle Smith, CISD director of College/Career Readiness and Advanced Academics said. “They are serving as role models who can impact these early learners regarding the importance of education, while helping develop critical life skills—from money management to being a good worker and running your own business.”

                Representatives from Junior Achievement will conduct a volunteer training session on January 5 from 10 a.m. to noon in the CISD Central Office Board Room. This link can be used to sign up for the training: Registration

                “We are excited to partner with Junior Achievement in beginning the learning phase of their program with our elementary students,” Smith said. “Even as early as kindergarten, the seeds to developing financial literacy and dreams of a career can be planted.”

                “We will expand Junior Achievement into middle school in 2023-2024,” Smith said. “Utilizing the JA program at this level will involve our students in career exploration, which will provide them with a better understanding of college and career readiness. Junior Achievement at the high school level will have students experiencing business ownership, work readiness and financial capability. But it all begins with introducing JA to our elementary students—and we are needing volunteers to help us with that.”

                The role of volunteers in Junior Achievement can be found at: https://jausa.ja.org/volunteer/index. For information on the volunteer opportunity in Cleburne ISD, contact Lisa Magers, Director of Community Relations, 817-202-1127/lmagers@c-isd.com.