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How can we help children build greater financial futures for themselves? At FitMoney, our free and accessible K-12 curriculum has reached over 100,000 students as they embark on their own journeys towards financial fitness.
We handle money every single day, but still, financial education isn’t as widely taught as it is needed. This week, we’re excited to welcome Stephanie Madden as FitMoney’s new Deputy Director. With Stephanie joining our team, we’re working towards our mission of financial education for all by helping students, families, and caregivers access the resources they need.
Welcome to FitMoney, Stephanie! Why do you think it’s so important to make financial literacy education accessible?
Financial literacy is about having the knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being. Yet, when it comes to our youth and education, it is such a vital curriculum that is so often overlooked. Financial guidelines and management tools are core components of a vital framework useful in everyday life! This visionary group has identified and sought to solve for a “missing” core curriculum – one that offers students the opportunity to become fluent in finance. That is why I am so proud to be joining FitMoney!
I want to work to close gaps in equity, opportunity, and access to information on what is such a pressing life skill. This team of committed individuals and educators are doing exactly that through the development of a curriculum that is easily adopted, implemented, accessible and flexible for all learning styles and methods.
Classrooms and learning look different today than they used to, and we’re eager to continue evolving the curriculum to always meet students and families where they are. Simply put - the more accessible, the greater the impact. We can’t only provide resources; we have to also ensure we build confidence in the educator and the family around every student.
On a larger-scale, why do you think we don’t talk more about financial literacy?
It can be challenging to understand what “financial literacy” means and more importantly, whether or not one feels connected to the subject matter on any level. Often simplified, children count coins, learn to write a check, or understand how money moves (very important basics!), we bring the emphasis that financial literacy is more than knowing what’s objectively “correct” – it is also understanding and knowing what’s right for you.
In addition to that, many of us didn’t receive financial education opportunities when we were younger either, so it can be difficult to step into the role of an educator yourself. As the newest member of the FitMoney team, I’m especially excited to further these conversations and demonstrate the hardest part about talking about money is simply knowing where to start.
How can a student, parent, or educator get started?
Visit FitMoney.org for valuable resources and information on this topic. As a caregiver, start by sharing more about your own financial decisions where comfortable. You may be surprised how much your child has already developed thoughts and impressions about how you spend money! Our best advice is to always support communication around money. It doesn’t have to be as “taboo” as we once thought. We have a wonderful opportunity today to instill confidence around money and help future generations build a lifelong practice of fiscal responsibility.
For our educators seeking guidance, you can always reach out to teachers@fitmoney.org. Our curriculum team are all former teachers themselves, and it’s incredible to watch how personal and thoughtful they are with all our financial education partners!
Any fun facts about yourself that FitMoney families might enjoy?
Hmm, I like to think of myself as a musician – specifically – a drummer. This identity has instilled in me a practice of listening closely to what my ‘bandmates’ are playing on their instruments during the creative process. For instance, before I settle in on my drumbeats, rhythm, and tempo (i.e. loudly, softly, dynamically, steadily, syncopated or not), I listen to all instrument parts that influence the song’s underlying vibe. I use this analogy because musical collaboration is most successful when each contributor (musicians, sound engineers, producers, etc.) feels, hears, and sees what all other contributors bring.
The critical understanding here is that each contributor is an expert of their instrument and on whom we all rely. It is no different to me as I seek to collaborate with my colleagues and partners as we build systems and process that work with business nuances and goals together. All of us need all of us to innovate and effectuate operational excellence.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to anyone reading this?
Start today. There is no wrong way to begin. We’ll be faced with financial decisions every single day, so don’t expect to understand everything overnight. Research shows that children begin forming financial habits as early as age 3. You don’t need to pull out your mortgage statement at the kitchen table nor have them watch you balance a budget. Have them take part in small decisions – what are needs versus wants at the grocery store? Share how and why you make decisions on what to purchase this week or why you choose certain products over others.
And, of course, visit FitMoney.org to get started! Find a program right for you and know that our devoted team is here to help!
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