Final Thoughts

And thus ends an incredible semester at Wilson Elementary School. Looking back on the past eight weeks, I realize that my view on teaching financial literacy has changed immensely from the first lesson to the last. I have learned a lot about the students, the West Philadelphia community, and myself.

The last lesson was definitely my favorite. I created a Jeopardy game for the students to review all the material we had taught throughout the semester. It was a fun way to end the semester and stir up some friendly competition among the students. It was also great to see how far the students had come and just how much they had learned. The lesson was bittersweet as well as I sad to see the students go. Many of them asked if we’d be returning next semester, and I realize that for a lot of the kids, we genuinely made their day brighter, as they did for us. I can only hope that our efforts have a positive effect on them that extends even beyond the classroom, for good teachers truly impact a student’s life.

I am excited to return to FLCP next semester. I am thinking about teaching high school students instead next semester because the classroom environment is so different, but I’m reluctant to leave the kids at Wilson. Regardless, I know my involvement in FLCP will continue to further my understanding of the West Philadelphia community and the dire need for financial literacy in classrooms. I am so grateful to the students, the FLCP leaders, and my teaching team for a truly memorable semester.