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Staff Spotlight: Katie Langrehr, Experiential Learning Director
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Get to know Katie Langrehr, JAEI’s Experiential Learning Director, and the driving force behind many of our hands-on student programs. From career fairs to JA BizTown® Mobile, Katie shares how her journey with JA began, why she’s passionate about early financial education, and the powerful moments that keep her inspired. Read her story and learn how you can get involved in supporting JA’s...
Wrapping Up the 2025 JA Stock Market Challenge®
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
On April 24th, the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids was alive with energy as students and professionals stepped into the fast-paced world of finance at the 2025 JA Stock Market Challenge®. More than $100,000 was raised to support Junior Achievement programs across Eastern Iowa, this year’s event was a tremendous success—uniting future leaders and local businesses to champion youth...
Students Pitch Travel Solutions to Delta at 3DE™ Culminating Event
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Students from Alburnett and College Community School Districts came together at the Eastern Iowa Airport for the 3DE by Junior Achievement Culminating Event—a powerful showcase of critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Throughout the school year, students tackled real business challenges presented by local and national companies. At this final event, they delivered their innovative...
Honoring the Heart of the Classroom: Celebrating Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Join us in celebrating the incredible educators who help bring JA programs to life. Their dedication, support, and belief in their students make a lasting impact—and we’re so grateful for their partnership. Whether they’re welcoming JA volunteers, coordinating BizTown visits, or finding time to integrate JA lessons into their already full days, our teachers go above and beyond to empower the next...
Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Lamb – Giving Back with Heart and Purpose
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Lisa Lamb, CFO at Integrated Connection, brings her passion for children and community into the classroom through her role as a Junior Achievement volunteer. With a background in accounting and a heart for teaching, Lisa has spent the past two years inspiring kindergarten and third-grade students with fun, hands-on lessons. Though she once felt nervous about speaking in front of groups, she...
Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Heyer
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
After a 47-year career in Human Resources, Pat Heyer continues to inspire growth—this time in the classroom. A dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer for over 20 years, Pat brings real-world lessons to life for kindergarten through third-grade students. She’s passionate about helping young learners understand concepts like earning, saving, and spending, and takes pride in sparking their curiosity...
Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Thing
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Anne Thing’s connection to Junior Achievement began in high school and has continued throughout her life—as a student, a parent, and now a long-time volunteer. A Technical Writer at CIVCO Medical Solutions, Anne has taught JA programs from kindergarten through middle school for decades. Whether leading budgeting lessons or guiding students through JA BizTown® Mobile, she finds joy in watching kids...
Empowering Young Learners: Junior Achievement’s (JA) Elementary Financial Literacy Programs
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to emphasize the importance of early financial education in shaping future success. At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI), we are dedicated to empowering young minds through our comprehensive elementary school programs. These programs introduce students to essential economic concepts, community roles, and financial literacy, laying a strong...
Celebrating Our Top 100 Volunteers: A Tribute to Years of Dedication
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI), our volunteers are the foundation of everything we do. Every classroom lesson, every simulation, every moment of inspiration that sparks a student’s confidence and curiosity is made possible by the dedication of the incredible individuals who volunteer their time to bring Junior Achievement’s mission to life.
During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re...
Volunteer Spotlight: Paige Grimm – Teaching From the Heart, Even Without the Classroom
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Paige Grimm, a Cedar Rapids native and Junior Achievement alumna, brings passion and heart to every JA classroom she enters. Although she didn’t pursue a full-time teaching career, her love for education shines through her volunteer work. After first getting involved through a Financial Literacy Fair, Paige quickly dove into teaching multiple JA classes, especially enjoying the energy of...
