Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Thing

Author: Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Published: Wednesday, 23 Apr 2025

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Image caption: Inspiring the next generation with every lesson—Anne Thing brings a lifetime of experience and heart to the classroom through Junior Achievement.

A Lifelong JA Journey, From Student to Mentor

For Anne Thing, Junior Achievement isn’t just a volunteer opportunity—it’s a lifelong thread woven through her personal and professional journey. Her first introduction came as a teenager, when her father, despite running his own business and working more than 60 hours a week, made time to drive her and her siblings to weekly JA sessions. That simple gesture left a lasting impression.

Years later, Anne carried that early experience into adulthood, determined to give back to the same program that helped shape her outlook on the world. While attending college, she began volunteering in local elementary schools. When her own children started school, she jumped at the chance to bring Junior Achievement into their classrooms, teaching JA lessons each year from kindergarten through eighth grade. Even now, with her children grown, Anne still returns each school year, ready to share her knowledge and connect with students.

Professionally, Anne is a Technical Writer with a rich background in business administration and computer sciences. She’s brought her talents to a range of industries—from supply chain and insurance compliance to taxation and medical solutions. Today, she works at CIVCO Medical Solutions in Coralville, but it’s in the classroom where her storytelling skills and real-world insights truly come to life.

Over the years, Anne has taught a wide variety of JA programs, adapting alongside the organization as it evolved from paper materials to interactive digital presentations. From leading Financial Literacy Fairs and helping eighth graders build sample budgets to supporting students during JA BizTown® Mobile simulations, she’s seen it all. One of her favorite memories is stepping into a classroom with her “JA suitcase” in tow, watching students sneak curious glances as she sets up—an unspoken excitement building before the lesson even begins.

Anne especially enjoys teaching personal budgeting to middle schoolers. She introduces practical shortcuts to make percentages less intimidating and loves watching the moment when the math clicks.

“It’s fun to see how they start with a standard budget, and then light up when they get to customize it to fit their own ideas. That shift—from following a model to thinking for themselves—is powerful.”

For Anne, the most rewarding part of volunteering isn’t just watching students learn—it’s forming meaningful connections that last. She's had students approach her years later, remembering a lesson or moment they shared. And she's continually inspired by their depth of thought, often finding their perspectives surprisingly grounded and sincere.

She believes that JA doesn’t just teach kids how to manage money or understand business. It gives them a deeper understanding of the world—how families function, how companies operate, and how their choices make an impact.

To anyone considering volunteering, Anne offers this:
“It’s an eye-opening experience. When you share your time and your story, you open the door for students to do the same. The mutual growth that happens in that space is something truly special.”