J
unior Achievement of Utah is in the business of inspiring young people. In particular, we inspire students from as early as kindergarten and throughout their high school years. To accomplish this, we send in the professionals. I don’t mean professional educators; I mean professional CEOs, business owners, healthcare workers, and a variety of others to serve as mentors, inspiring students inside classrooms across our state.
Inspiring Students to Create Their Own Bright Futures By Christy Tribe, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Utah
Picture for a moment that you’re standing at the front of a classroom. Twenty-five energetic fourth graders are looking up at you, trying to decide what they are in for. You nervously begin the first lesson on the characteristics of an entrepreneur. Within a few minutes, you’re helping them realize that just like entrepreneurs, they are risk-takers because they attempt daring tricks on their bikes, with their skateboards, and on the soccer field. After a few minutes, students are drawn in because these lessons are relevant. There is something in here for each one of them. Suddenly, they’re hooked. Guided by our engaging lesson plans, our volunteers are prepped through informative training sessions and equipped with colorful posters, exciting games, and thought-provoking activities to make each lesson come to life. However, no amount of color and no number of games or activities can inspire our young learners as much as a caring adult at the front of the classroom. This is the magic of Junior Achievement—the secret to our success. Simply put, the most powerful influence in Junior Achievement is that of our eager and at times, slightly nervous volunteers. In Utah alone, over 8,000 dedicated volunteers serve annually as positive role models, inspiring students to catch a glimpse of what their own futures can be. You see, Junior Achievement brings the outside world—the business world—into our classrooms, and we bring our classrooms out into the business world. By doing so, students learn to recognize the ways in which they shine and learn how to use their unique talents to create their own bright futures.
60 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022
