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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...
Building a Strong Financial Foundation: Equipping Teens for a Brighter Tomorrow
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Financial Literacy
In honor of Financial Literacy Month, we explore the challenges teens face in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world and emphasize the vital role financial education plays in shaping a more secure and promising...
Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month at Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month by recognizing the dedicated individuals who bring JA programs to life. Volunteers who have served during the 2024–25 school year are entered into weekly drawings for gift cards to local businesses. Their real-world experience and mentorship help students build financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurial...
🌟 Staff Spotlight: Beth Horan 🌟
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
From in the background, Beth Horan keeps the wheels turning at Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI). As an Operations Coordinator, she ensures everything runs smoothly for teams supporting JA programs, volunteers, and donors. Whether managing systems, assisting with data pulls, or contributing to committee efforts, her work touches every part of the organization, helping the mission...
