Grade school students do a lot of learning during the school year — from learning their ABCs, to history lessons.
But each January, their learning metrics have nothing to do with the alphabet or learning about other countries.
That’s when the Junior Achievement program filters into the classrooms.
The main thrust of the program is financial literacy, which is primarily why people like Sara Torkelson and before her, Minnwest Bank colleague Mary Squires got involved. And if there’s any question whether or not volunteers reach the kids on any level, Torkelson takes satisfaction knowing they do when they see the kids outside of a school setting.
“It’s when you see them out and about in the community,” Torkelson said. “They come up to you and say, ‘Hey, I remember when you came to our class and did this project or this activity. Some of the stuff really stays with them.”