Junior Achievement launches in Treynor Elementary and College View Elementary

February 14, 2022 | TS Bank

TS Institute launched its eleventh year facilitating Junior Achievement (JA) at Treynor Community Schools and its inaugural year at College View Elementary with Council Bluffs Community School District with over 21 classrooms of grade K-5 in southwest Iowa.

TS Institute, the financial literacy-arm of TS Bank, was first involved with Junior Achievement in 2010 in the Treynor Community School District. With in-person classroom instruction resumed, there is much eager anticipation awaited for this spring’s return.

This year, 10 employees from within the organization along with several community members will volunteer their time to teach five lessons in their assigned classroom. The program will run February 1 through March 25.

Junior Achievement is the oldest, largest and fastest-growing nonprofit economics education program throughout the world. JA inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy and learn about their community, jobs and entrepreneurship. JA reaches students with fun, hands-on programs that teach students financial literacy and equip them with the knowledge and skills to make better life choices. All programs align with national and local curriculum standards; therefore, educators fully enjoy the opportunity to involve their students.

“We believe in and support ‘Economic Empowerment through Education!’ Through our engaging, hands-on programs, Junior Achievement is a solution to the societal issues of inequality, wage gap, student loan debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and financial independence,” said Roxanne Mulvey, Junior Achievement of the Midlands, Inc. senior educational services manager. “Outside of JA, most young people may not consider the concepts of money management, careers and business ownership until they are out of school.”

Students are encouraged to think practically about starting a business with entrepreneurial thinking to meet the requirements of a demanding and ever-changing workforce. The students learn new vocabulary words, engage in hands on activities and games and discuss local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The pandemic has challenged teachers, parents and community partners, like JA, how to continue to educate, inspire and engage students whether they are in the classroom or learning remotely. Junior Achievement’s delivery model – which combines caring volunteers with proven programs – has shown to promote self-belief and a sense of purpose in students. It would not be possible without the partnership of volunteers and businesses to provide our programs. 

“We appreciate and value the partnership with TS Bank, which has resulted in Junior Achievement reaching thousands of students in communities in Iowa,” added Mulvey. “The past two years have reinforced the meaning and importance of community and partnerships as well as appreciation for our educators and volunteers. We are grateful for TS Bank’s commitment to children in the communities they serve through your support of Junior Achievement to make a difference in students’ bright futures.

Junior Achievement is a volunteer-led program and here locally, TS Institute facilitates the recruitment and training of volunteers to deliver the lessons in the classrooms. The program allows community members to be involved in financial literacy instruction and gives teachers an opportunity to take advantage of third-party resources to offer different perspectives to their students.

“TS Institute is excited to strengthen our partnership with College View Elementary through Junior Achievement programming,” said Traci Dresher, TS Institute programs manager. “In early 2020, a JA dialogue began with College View Principal Amy Andersen, after which she made a visit to Treynor Elementary to witness JA programming in action. Upon collaboration with her staff, their team knew JA would be a great compliment to their International Baccalaureate World School global student perspective.”

To learn more about Junior Achievement, contact Traci Dresher, programs manager with TS Institute at 712.487.0483 or traci.dresher@tsinstitue.org.

About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $393 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $220 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information, visit tsbank.com.

About Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement is the oldest, largest and fastest-growing nonprofit economics education program throughout the world. JA inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy and learn about their community, jobs and entrepreneurship with hands-on programs, knowledge and skills to make better life choices. For more information, visit ja.org.