Junior Achievement bridges business education gap

We are all aware that our schools do not teach business and economics, until one gets into college. This is an unfortunate omission since these subjects are so very important for everyone regardless of what career path they choose to follow.

There is a solution to this educational void but, alas, it is virtually unknown to exist. That solution is Junior Achievement. It appears that only those people who themselves were involved with Junior Achievement as either students or volunteers have even heard of this fine organization.

So, what is Junior Achievement? It is a world wide non-profit organization that teaches business and economics to kids from kindergarten through high school. The programs are developed by the parent organization in Colorado Springs and are taught in the schools by volunteers from the business and/or education world. Although the textbook materials are the basis for the courses, it is the presence of the volunteers that makes this a unique learning experience. The volunteers augment the printed materials with personal business experiences thus making the entire program more realistic and certainly more interesting.

For this wonderful program to expand into more schools everywhere, two things are needed. Funding, since the organization is non-profit and volunteers to help teach the programs. The classroom teachers participate but are not, themselves, schooled in the principles that are being taught.

We are fortunate, in Southwest Florida, that we have a very active, excellent Junior Achievement franchise, headquartered in Fort Myers and covering Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For those wishing to help by either making a tax-deductible contribution or by volunteering as program presenters or both, you can contact the franchise by writing to: Vicky Stephan, President or Karen Hargrove, Development Manager, 9530 Marketplace Road, Suite 104, Fort Myers, FL 33912 or calling at (239) 225-2590.

- Dr. Max J. Kalm has served Junior Achievement for more than 20 years in New Jersey and Florida.