Andson’s Piggy Bank Program started at Walter Long STEAM Academy in 2016. Since then it has grown to be one of the highest performing Piggy Bank locations. As of September 2019 Long has had 3,714 student deposits totaling $12,147.19!
We couldn’t achieve such spectacular student savings without the help of dedicated teachers bolstering student engagement with our Openvest Financial Literacy Curriculum in their classrooms. This week we’d like to highlight Silva Ponce, a first grade teacher at Long Elementary.
Andson: What made you want to become a teacher?
Ponce: I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. I love working with kids. I’ve been working with kids my whole life, from helping to raise my younger brothers, to participating in tutoring programs when I was in high school. My freshman year in college, I started off as a nursing major. I soon found out that Education was for me, so I switched to Elementary Education, and I am so happy I made that decision!
Andson: What do you feel is the best way to keep your students involved in learning?
Ponce: The best way to involve my students in learning is just that, involving them in the process. I also find that my students learn better and are more engaged in the process when they learn from each other. I let them talk with their teammates to solve problems together. We’ve been learning how to “coach” our friends when they are struggling with a concept rather than telling them the answer. They like listening to their friends more than they like listening to me sometimes!
Andson: How long have you been teaching Openvest in your classroom?
Ponce: This is my second year teaching Openvest.
Andson: What do you think your students enjoyed the most about the financial literacy lessons from Andson? Did you do anything to make it more personalized for your students?
Ponce: They really enjoyed the hands-on activities and games.
Andson: If you had any financial advice to give to the youth today, what would it be?
Ponce: Pay yourself first!
Watch the interview here: