Our Blog
She’s Helping Students See Careers They Never Knew Existed: Jamie Bateman’s JA Story
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Jamie Bateman, Senior Manager of Operations at CRST, volunteers with to help students explore careers in trucking, supply chain, and logistics through hands-on learning...
One JA Experience Changed Her Future — Now Danica Wilcox Is Helping Shape the Next Generation
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Danica Wilcox knows firsthand the impact Junior Achievement can have on a student’s future. After participating in JA as an 8th grader, she was inspired to pursue a career in business and...
Welcoming Samantha Klaren to Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Please join us in welcoming Samantha Klaren to the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa team as our new Curriculum...
Opening Doors to Possibility: Celebrating Dr. Danielle Riney
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
It started with one teacher who saw her potential. Today, Dr. Danielle Riney is opening doors for the next generation—helping students explore possibilities and see what’s...
From Learning to Earning: How Skills Build the Foundation for Economic Growth
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
For today’s students, the journey from learning to earning is more complex than ever before. A rapidly evolving economy shaped by technological innovation, shifting workforce demands, and new career pathways requires more than academic knowledge alone. It requires a strong foundation of skills that can translate into real-world success. We believe that building these skills early is essential not...
From Curiosity to Confidence: How One Educator Is Shaping Student Futures
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Ann Jameson, an 18-year educator with the Cedar Rapids Community School District, is passionate about helping students discover both the power of science and their own potential. Through her work supporting magnet schools and implementing 3DE and Junior Achievement programs, she creates learning experiences that connect classroom content to real-world opportunities. Ann believes curiosity,...
A Grandmother’s Impact: Turning Life Experience into Student Success
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
After a 40-year career in financial advising, Marlis Gilbert is now investing in the next generation—starting with her granddaughters’ classroom. As a Junior Achievement volunteer, she brings real-world financial concepts to life through JA Our City®, helping students connect what they learn to their own experiences. From understanding taxes to recognizing entrepreneurship in their own families,...
From Florida to the Classroom: How Kelli Artley Is Making an Impact Through Financial Education
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Kelli Artley returned to Iowa in 2025 with a desire to reconnect with her community—and found purpose through volunteering with Junior Achievement. For the past eight years, she has helped students build financial literacy and confidence through programs like JA Our City®, JA Career Speakers®, and BizTown® by Junior Achievement. Her story highlights the powerful impact volunteers have—not just on...
Many Ways to Make an Impact—One Shared Purpose
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Volunteers are at the heart of Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, bringing real-world experiences into classrooms and beyond. From leading lessons and mentoring students in BizTown® by Junior Achievement and JA Finance Park®, to coaching in 3DE™ and connecting students to careers through JA Career Inspire® and more, there are countless ways to get involved. This story highlights how volunteers...
How Junior Achievement Supports Iowa’s Updated Social Studies Standards
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
As Iowa updates its K–12 social studies standards with a stronger emphasis on financial literacy and real-world skills, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa provides a proven, standards-aligned solution. Through hands-on, experiential learning and volunteer-led instruction, JA programs help students understand money, business, and decision-making at every grade level. With turnkey curriculum and...