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3DE™ Educator Spotlight: Randy Farnum
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Randy Farnum, an Earth and Space Science teacher at Prairie 9th Grade Center, has been shaping young minds since 2003. His passion for education began with roles in informal education, including work with the Department of Natural Resources and the Peace Corps in Honduras. Inspired by his own teachers, Randy strives to help students understand the environment and real-world applications of...
Experiential Learning in Action: January & February Highlights
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
The start of 2025 has been filled with hands-on learning for students across Eastern Iowa! Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa has provided real-world experiences connecting classroom lessons with career exploration, financial literacy, and personal development.
Highlights from January & February
• JA Finance Park® Mobile at Benton Community School – 60 8th graders learned financial...
JA BizTown® Mobile: Bringing Hands-On Learning to Your School
By Cathy Essick
Entrepreneurship
JA BizTown® Mobile: Bringing Hands-On Learning to Your School
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is excited to bring JA BizTown® Mobile, a dynamic and immersive learning experience, directly to schools! This innovative program allows elementary students to step into real-world roles as business owners, employees, and consumers, developing essential skills in financial literacy, career readiness,...
Educator Spotlight: Scott Davidson
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is proud to recognize Scott Davidson, a dedicated social studies teacher at Xavier Catholic Schools, who has been inspiring students for 18 years.
Scott transitioned from a career in television to teaching, finding his passion in guiding 6th-8th graders toward success. His involvement with JA began through a colleague’s recommendation, and he now integrates JA...
3DE™ Student Spotlight: Natalie Krohse
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa celebrates Natalie Krohse, a driven student from Alburnett Community School District who excels in academics, athletics, and leadership. In 3DE™, she played a key role in her team’s 9.3 Van Meter case challenge victory, leading research and critical thinking. Her hard work continues to inspire those around...
Junior Achievement and UNI Athletics Inspire Young Students to Dream Big
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa recently teamed up with the University of Northern Iowa Athletics Department to give 3rd and 4th-grade students from Union Community School District a firsthand look at the life of a student-athlete. The event highlighted the importance of balancing academics and sports, goal-setting, and career opportunities in athletics. Students had the chance to hear advice...
School District Spotlight: College Community School District
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) celebrates its long-standing partnership with the College Community School District, a leader in preparing students for financial and career success. For over 30 years, the district has played a pivotal role in implementing JA programs and piloting new initiatives that benefit students across the region.
Impact by the Numbers:
2,009 students participated...
Volunteer Spotlight: Laurie Wahlert – 25+ Years of Inspiring Students with Financial Literacy
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
For over 25 years, Laurie Wahlert has been a dedicated Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer, using her 30 years of banking experience to bring financial literacy to students. She first started volunteering in Iowa City and continues to make an impact, teaching 4th Grade JA Our Region while utilizing Volunteer Time Off (VTO) from MidWestOne Bank’s 1st Avenue location to give back to her...
Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Reynolds
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Tim Reynolds, an IT professional with GreenState Credit Union, has been a dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer for six years. Inspired by his wife’s career as a kindergarten teacher, he has taught various JA programs, helping students understand real-world financial and career concepts. Tim enjoys the interactive nature of JA lessons and the lasting impact they have on students. His advice to...
4th Graders Explore Future Careers at Career Exploration Fair
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
The Career Exploration Fair, held today at the CRCSD Educational Leadership and Support Center, gave Cedar Rapids Community School District 4th graders a hands-on introduction to various career paths. Hosted in partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI), the event featured 15-20 interactive stations where industry professionals showcased real-world skills and equipment.
Students...
