Wearing blue shirts and armed with hands-on activities, Williams employees took to the classrooms of Sequoyah Elementary School this spring with a mission: to inspire and prepare students for success.
The employees were volunteering for JA in a Day, a Junior Achievement program that assigns volunteers to each classroom at a school for a full day of financial literacy activities.
For employee Bill Hadley, it was an encore performance. He’s been a Williams volunteer with Junior Achievement for decades.
“I came here to teach 6th graders entrepreneurial leadership and how to understand the things they learn in school applies to the outside world when they engage in it,” he said.
Principal Raye Nero said volunteers like Bill are important role-models for her students.
“Financial literacy is important to elementary students because so many adults struggle with finances, and if we can teach them early to be responsible in their finances then we make better citizens for the future,” she said.
Second-grade student Allen said he had fun with the hands-on activities, which included board games and role-playing.
“I’m learning about working and at the end of the day when your job is closing you get paid money,” he said with a big smile.
*This content was produced prior to the issuance of CDC guidelines recommending social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.