Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Zelinskas

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Wednesday, 19 Nov 2025

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photo of a group of students and a volunteer

Image caption: Empowering students with the skills and confidence for what’s next—thanks to volunteers like Sarah.

When you ask Sarah Zelinskas what fills her days, she’ll tell you it’s a busy mix of two kids, a Goldendoodle puppy, and a career in banking that’s spanned more than two decades. Since 2003, Sarah has worked her way through a variety of roles—teller, personal banker, service manager, and now Private Bank Associate at Ohnward Bank & Trust in Marion, Iowa. Each position has given her a deeper understanding of the financial world, and over time, one conviction has grown stronger: real-life money skills shouldn’t be reserved just for adults.

That belief is exactly what led Sarah to Junior Achievement (JA).

“I really wanted to share my knowledge with kids who were going to be facing real life situations revolving around money and budgeting in their near future,” she explains. When she had the opportunity to volunteer with JA in 2014, she jumped in—eager to help students build foundational skills and see concepts come to life.

Over the years, Sarah has participated in JA BizTown® Mobile and taught JA lessons in kindergarten through second grade. Each program looks a little different, but for Sarah, they share one big common thread: watching students’ understanding click into place.

“What I love most is watching their little brains put things together and seeing their eyes light up when they figure it all out,” she says.

One of her favorite moments happens before the lesson even starts. She describes quietly opening the classroom door, waiting for the students to notice. Then it happens—big smiles, excited wiggles, little squeals of recognition.

“My favorite thing about teaching the younger grades is you get that reaction every. single. week.” Sarah shares. “It really helps solidify my purpose in that moment.”

She’s especially fond of JA BizTown® Mobile, where students prepare for weeks to take on their roles in a simulated town. From mayor and manager to accountant and shop employee, each student experiences what it’s like to be part of a working community.

“Watching them in action is so cool,” Sarah says. “You get to see their ‘light bulb’ moment as to why they were learning about how businesses and communities are run and why different roles matter.”

In the classroom, the impact is just as powerful—though sometimes quieter. Lessons build on one another week after week, and Sarah loves testing what her students remember.

“There is nothing more rewarding than when you ask them if they remember what was being talked about during the last lesson and they do,” she says.

For Sarah, some of the most meaningful experiences have come from teaching in her own children’s classrooms. Her kids get to see a different side of her—someone who is not just “Mom,” but a role model sharing skills she’s passionate about.

“I think each JA level does a fantastic job of helping kids open their minds to a broader meaning of community and family,” she reflects. “With that, I hope they can take what was learned and set good examples for others around them.”

If you ask her what she hopes students carry with them long after the lessons end, she doesn’t hesitate: understanding the difference between a need and a want.

“That is something they are going to use for the rest of their lives,” she emphasizes.

And her message to anyone considering volunteering with Junior Achievement is simple—and emphatic:

“DO IT!… DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! You don’t have to be an expert on anything. The materials provided are AMAZING and allow you to be able to teach at any grade level.”

From the banking office to the classroom door, Sarah brings patience, enthusiasm, and a deep belief that early financial education can change lives. We’re grateful for her years of dedication, her willingness to say “yes” to new opportunities, and the countless “light bulb” moments she’s helped spark for students across Eastern Iowa.