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We are proud to announce our Teacher of the Year, Celia Jolly of Stratford High School and Volunteer of the Year, Nancy Goins of Caterpillar Financial Services.

 Celia Jolly has been involved with Junior Achievement for six years and has offered a wide range of JA options to her students at Stratford.  Celia not only offers JA programs like Economics and Banks in Action, she invites Capitalism with Conscience speakers into her classroom and joined her AP students on a Job Shadow Day this year.  As one of Celia’s volunteers said, “Ms. Jolly provides the best environment for a JA volunteer…Above all, Ms. Jolly cares about her students, and this is not lost on those young people.”  We are pleased to honor Ms. Jolly’s commitment to both JA and the students of Stratford High School.

 Nancy Goins of Caterpillar Financial Services is in her fourth year as a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement.  According to her own estimations, she has taught 16 classes and reached 365 students during this time frame!  Nancy is also a great proponent for JA within her company.  When the long time volunteer coordinator was promoted and unable to continue managing volunteer efforts, Nancy was eager to continue the work that needed to be done.  Under her leadership for the last two years, Caterpillar Financial has had over 90 volunteers teach Junior Achievement programming in 315 classes, reaching 6,500 Middle Tennessee students.

 In addition to honoring Celia Jolly as our Teacher of the Year and Nancy Goins as our Volunteer of the Year, we would like to honor other candidates whose dedication to JA and the youth of Middle Tennessee.  The finalists for Teacher of the Year are:

            Patsy Buckner of Harpeth Valley Elementary   
            Wendy Foster of Kirkpatrick Elementary   
            Amy Luscinski of St. Bernard Academy
            Angie Smith of Blackman Elementary

We thank these teachers for their dedication to our mission and for inviting a classroom consultant to share their life and work experiences with students!

The finalists for Volunteer of the Year are:

            Christy Heinrich of Loew’s Vanderbilt Hotel      
            Dianne Nunez of Tennessee Valley Authority   
            David Riesland of Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon   
            Kim Schafer of Safeco Insurance

Volunteers like these encourage JA students to dream about their future, develop relevant skills and pursue attainable goals.

On behalf of the entire JA staff, thank you for all that you do to make it possible for Junior Achievement to reach students across Middle Tennessee.

FAQ's About Volunteering at JA The following information applies to the classroom based programs.  Volunteering in JA BizTown is usually coordinated through the school; for information on volunteering with JA BizTown, click here.

What do volunteers do in the classroom?

If you choose to work with elementary kids, you'll be teaching students about the business basics of the world around them - things like why people put money in a bank and what's the relationship between jobs, skills, and tools. Middle grade students will focus on the relevance and importance of staying in school and personal economic issues like keeping a check register current and using credit wisely. In a high school classroom, you might practice interviewing skills, talk about teamwork on the job, discuss how to build rapport, or give real-life examples of economics in action. You don't have to come up with what to teach, it's all there in the materials we give you!

What is the time commitment?

Volunteers attend a training session, which lasts about one hour. Group training can be arranged on-site at your company. Then, you visit the classroom to complete anywhere from five to ten visits (depending upon the program) during the semester. Visits range from thirty to fifty minutes each and volunteers usually visit once per week. However, scheduling is flexible-you arrange the schedule individually with the classroom teacher.

When would I be volunteering?

Volunteers visit the classroom during the school day. There are limited opportunities available at other times, such as summer or after-school community programs. Clerical, special events, and materials delivery volunteers are also needed.

Am I responsible for classroom discipline?

No, the classroom teacher will remain in the classroom and assist with keeping the class in order. Of course, there may be the occasion where you ask students to quiet down. Teaching techniques and tips are covered in volunteer training.

Can I decide what grade and school I'd like to teach?

Yes. The choice of age level, program and location is left up to you. At training, we provide you with information on various program topics and general guidelines about student characteristics to help you in making this decision. You will probably know where you will feel the most comfortable and are welcome to try various grades! We also let you choose the most convenient location from our available schools (usually a school that is close to work or home, if you prefer). We cannot always accommodate a request for a specific school because we can only add new schools in relation to available funding and volunteer resources.

What qualifications are needed to serve as a volunteer?

The most important qualification is a desire to positively impact young people. Second, volunteers must serve as positive role models by following through with the commitment to complete their assigned class. The knowledge you bring to the classroom is your real-world experience. In certain programs, it will be helpful to have a particular background such as international business or sports marketing.

JA Classroom Programs

Elementary: K-5th Grades learn business basics of the world around them - the relationships between jobs, skills, and tools.

(Five 30-45 minute classes)

Ourselves introduces the economic roles of individuals.

Our Families discusses the role of families in the local economy.

Our Community examines the responsibilities and economic opportunities available within the community.

Our City considers economic development, local businesses, and career opportunities.

Our Region explains the economic/business resources found in state and regional economies.

Our Nation studies business operations and economic issues in the Unites States.

Middle School: 6-8th Grades receive opportunities for career exploration and experience with real life issues like using credit wisely and keeping a check register. 

(Five to Eight 45 minute classes)

JA Global Marketplace is designed to provide practical information about the key aspects of the global economy, what makes the world work, and how trade affects students' daily lives.

High School: 9-12th Grades learn the skills and concepts needed to be productive, successful citizens in the community.

(Eight 50 minute classes)

Success Skills explores the interpersonal skills required for career and personal success.

Economics is a one-semester course that examines the fundamental concepts of micro-, macro-, and international economics.

Company Program focuses on analyzing and exploring personal opportunities and responsibilities within a company.

JA TITAN is a business simulation exercise delivered via the internet.

JA Careers with a Purpose is a 7 visit program that introduces students to the importance of seeking careers that help them realize their life potential and noble purpose.

JA Presents:  The NEFE high School Financial Planning Program is a 5 session, kit based program presenting financial planning principals

JA Global Business Ethics is a 7 visit program that introduces students to the importance of seeking careers that help them realize their life potential and noble purpose.

After School:

JA Dollars and $ense offers activities focused on earning, saving and spending money.

   (Six 45 minute activities for 3rd-5th graders)
JA It's My Business offers activities designed to explore entrepreneurial skills.

   (Six 45 minute activities for 6th-6th graders)
Company Program focuses on analyzing and exploring personal opportunities and responsibilities within a company.