What keeps educators up at night?
For Wendy Mark, Vice President of Education at JAGC, one conversation with a local superintendent put that question into perspective. He told her his greatest concern was handing a student a diploma without knowing whether they had a plan for what comes next.
"That's where JA comes in," Wendy said. "Our programming prepares young people for life in the real world."
Working alongside schools throughout our region, Wendy sees students who are eager to explore possibilities and discover what their futures can hold. From immersive experiences like JA Finance Park to classroom-based learning opportunities, students gain the confidence to make informed decisions, connect learning to life beyond graduation, and begin building a plan for what's next.
One moment Wendy still thinks about happened after she taught lessons in a seventh-grade classroom. When she returned to the school several weeks later, three students came running down the hallway toward her. "Miss Wendy!"
They remembered her.
It's a reminder of something she often tells JA volunteers: don't worry about how much students are learning because learning will happen. Instead, focus on how you make students feel.
That belief continues to guide Wendy's work every day as she helps students dream bigger, see new possibilities, and take meaningful steps toward opportunity-filled futures.
Connect with Wendy!
JA Finance Park (Entry Level)
For more information about the JA Finance Park (Entry Level) program, visit the JA Finance Park (Entry Level) program page.
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