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Montgomery County

   
Montgomery County Schools & Junior Achievement Partnership


Volunteer Testimonial

"This was the single most inspiring day that I have had in a decade. The children are wonderfully engaged in the JA program and the teachers were very supportive and appreciative. If I were asked to do this five or ten times a year I would do so."
Through the support of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), JA is providing its programs to students in grade 6 and selected high school classrooms to ensure a systemic model for successful business partnerships that benefits all students. The program was piloted during the 2004-2005 school year and has since expanded with the intent to eventually integrate this successful business partnership model in all MCPS schools. Click here to see a list of participating schools.


Which Junior Achievement Programs will be used?
  • JA Economics for Success: JA Economics for Success explores personal finance and students’ education and career options based on their skills, interests, and values.

  • JA Company Program: The JA Company Program analyzes and explores personal opportunities and responsibilities within a student-led enterprise.

  • JA Personal Finance: High school students will learn the importance of making wise financial choices and will develop planning, goal setting and thoughtful decision making skills.

  • JA Job Shadow: High school students participate in engaging, academically-enriching experiences to enhance their career perspectives.

Teacher Testimonial

"Thank you for selecting our grade and school to introduce this wonderful program to children who will grow to be the adult of the future. My class had the best teacher. She was very knowledgeable, flexible, and caring. I am blessed along with my students to have had this experience."

Yvonne Simmons
Greencastle Elementary
What are the benefits for students in Montgomery County Public Schools?
Anytime students learn with and from experts in their own community, a positive experience is shared by all stakeholders -- especially when ongoing assistance is provided by MCPS and JA. Specifically, students in MCPS will benefit directly from the JA and MCPS partnership by:
  • Experiencing hands-on, classroom interactions involving economics and business with an "expert" business partner from their own community
  • Participating in authentic learning activities that are naturally integrated into their instruction
  • Exploring career possibilities related to JA topics such as economics and entrepreneurship
  • Having the opportunity to ask questions of and be mentored by a business partner who is knowledgeable about topics and careers that may be different than the students' own family and friends.


What are the benefits for teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools?
Teachers in MCPS will benefit directly from the JA and MCPS partnership by:
  • Having the opportunity to truly partner with a role model from the community who is volunteering in the classroom to help provide current and accurate information about JA topics such as economics and entrepreneurship
  • Learning with and from the business partner and establishing a contact for future classroom experiences
  • Collaborating with the business partner to ensure that the students are participating in meaningful interactive and concrete activities that are directly integrated into the MCPS curriculum
  • Working with JA staff to ensure that the program is valuable and successful for all involved.

What are the requirements for schools?
Each school appoints a staff liaison/coordinator for the JA program. The coordinator ensures successful program integration "on-site" and collaborates directly with JA staff. Teachers and coordinators receive an orientation session lasting at least 45 minutes. Teachers and/or coordinators are responsible for setting their own class schedule with the volunteer.

Training Time for classroom teacher and support staff & schedule coordination Classroom Time Debrief / Evaluation Time Location Total Time Commitment per program
JA Economics for Success
1 hour 		5 hours
(1 hour/week for 5 weeks) 		1 hour Preparation/training and debrief/evaluation time will take place at each school 7 hours
JA Company Program
2 hours 		15 hours
(over one semester) 		1 hour 18 hours
JA Personal Finance
1 hour 		5 hours
(1 hour/week for 5 weeks) 		1 hour 7 hours
JA Job Shadow
1 hour 		8 hours
(3 hours preparation and 5 hours at job site) 		1 hour 10 hours


For more information on the JA-MCPS Partnership, please contact
Chelsea Soneira, Director, Montgomery County Programs, JA at Chelsea.Soneira@ja.org or 301-838-0470
or Genevieve Floyd, Coordinator, Montgomery College/MCPS Partnership, MCPS at Genevieve_L_Floyd@mcpsmd.org or 240-453-2490
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4099 Pickett Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
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804 West Diamond Avenue, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
T: (301) 838-0470 | F: (301) 838-0472
www.myJA.org/montgomery
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