'Berg takes JA to local elementary school

“What do you want to grow up to be?” first-grader Brookelynne asked ’Berg senior Allison Farroni. Although the question was slightly off topic, Allison answered politely, “A software developer. Do you know what a software developer is?”

Allison was among a group 16 School of Business, Computer Science and Information Technology students who visited Brookelynne’s Washington Elementary School this morning to instruct “JA in a Day” to the kindergarteners and first-graders there.

Annually Heidelberg students have taken the Junior Achievement curriculum into local elementary schools but this is the first year they’ve expanded to include kindergarten classrooms. Each grade has a specific focus. For the Washington students, the theme was community, explained Dean Dr. Haseeb Ahmed, who serves on the local JA board.

Through the “JA in a Day” program, the ’Berg students utilized fun games and activities to walk the little ones through “JA Ourselves” and “JA Our Families.”

“It’s very energizing for our students,” Ahmed said. “They value being a part of the community and contributing as a volunteer. It fits well with what we’re trying to deliver to our students.”

The ’Berg students begin to prepare in the fall semester by interacting with the classroom teachers and completing training about the JA curriculum and how to deliver the lessons.

Ahmed explained that the three pillars of JA are financial literacy, career preparation and entrepreneurship. Although those concepts seem advanced and complex, it’s never too early to help young children begin to explore them.

“When you take a look at what’s happening in society, all three parts are very vital for economic prosperity, growth and success of the population,” Ahmed said.

By the time the elementary students enter the workplace, it’s going to look and feel different, he said, in part because of a gender gap in understanding financial issues and a shift in the desired workplace skills. “All of this is a huge prospect. It’s going to change the way we work."

“Actually, the shift is happening now and we need to instill these concepts from pre-K through 12th grade and after.”

All of the Heidelberg student volunteers are members of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board. Their coverage encompasses about 1,500 Tiffin City Schools students – elementary through high school – throughout the school year. Heidelberg also hosts the Business Challenge Competition for Columbian, Mohawk, New Riegel, Hopewell-Loudon and Old Fort high schools each spring.

See more photos from the day at Washington Elementary School.