FBLA members become High School Heroes

Students in Baldwin High School’s Future Business Leaders of America club are used to sitting in a classroom, absorbing what their teacher has to say and following along a detailed lesson plan. But that’s much different than preparing the lesson yourself and getting up in front of a room full of elementary school students to take on the teacher role.

For 35 FBLA students, however, that’s exactly what they got the chance to do on Nov. 25 during the High School Heroes event at Meadow Elementary School. Each year, FBLA members travel to Meadow to teach lessons on financial literacy to students in kindergarten through third grade.

Gregg Kelley, who coordinates the FBLA club along with fellow business teacher Jennifer Raleigh, said students often get nervous leading up to the event, but that’s a good thing. “It teaches them leadership skills, public speaking and reinforces some financial literacy skills,” he said.

FBLA works with Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to “educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs,” on the event. Junior Achievement representatives came to BHS on Nov. 12 to go over lesson plans and distribute materials. The organization coordinates High School Heroes events across the country, in addition to other events.

BHS students are placed in pairs or groups of three to lead lessons and incorporate games or activities to get elementary students involved. The co-presidents of FBLA, juniors Jacob Peretson and Steven Dolsky, have both been High School Heroes the last three years and look forward to the event each fall.

Peretson taught a kindergarten class last week and said the students were very eager to hear what he and his partner had to say. They focused on a few areas, including coin values and led an activity that incorporated simple math. For Pereston, it’s an experience to learn what it takes to be a teacher, while also helping some younger students in the process. “It really puts a new perspective on [teaching],” he said. “I’m glad I got a chance to do it.”