Thanks to Pat Page for the great conversation we recently had on the NGPF podcast. Pat shared her insights and expertise on many topics that financial educators will find helpful. You will learn about Pat’s approach to using technology in her classroom, teaching spreadsheets, using pithy phrases to focus student attention and telling stories that bring financial topics to life. You will also hear the inspiring story of how a group of students at her high school lobbied the Rhode Island legislature to make financial literacy a priority in the state. Enjoy!

Details:

• 0:00~1:12 – Introduction
• 1:12~1:57 – Classes that Pat teaches
  
• 1:57~3:05 – Creating a dual enrollment personal finance course which provides her students with college credit
• 3:05~3:51 – Description of East Greenwich, Rhode Island where Pat teaches
• 3:51~5:45 – What her classroom looks like from a socioeconomic perspective
• 5:45~7:03 – Interest in financial literacy
• 7:03~8:27 – Early money lessons
• 8:27~9:22 – Credit card booths on college campuses 
• 9:22~11:58 – Teaching students about 401(k)s
• 11:58~14:35 – How Pat engages parents 
• 14:35~17:03 – Student interests/student blindspots
• 17:03~18:31 – Incorporating technology in the classroom
• 18:31~20:46 – Teaching spreadsheets
• 20:46~24:00 – ‘Page’s perfect picks’
• 24:00~24:20 – A word from our sponsor, Next Gen Personal Finance
• 24:20~27:52 – How to effectively bring storytelling into your personal finance classroom  
• 27:52~33:37 – How Pat used her platform as Teacher of the Year in Rhode Island    
• 33:37~39:20 – Advocating for financial literacy in Rhode Island  
• 39:20~42:52 – How does micro-credentialing work?
• 42:52~48:41 – Pat’s recommended resources (see links below)
• 48:41~49:31 – Rule of thumb for student debt?
• 49:31~50:06 – Right time to get a credit card?
• 50:06~50:37 – If she could send weekly texts to students, what would they say?
• 50:37~51:07 – Best thing she bought for under $10?
• 51:07~51:28 – Favorite money habit?
• 51:28~52:21 – Recommended book?
• 52:21~52:54 – Parting words 
• 52:54~54:26 – Conclusion

Resources:

• Knowledge@Wharton High School
• Jump$tart
• Pat Page Twitter handle:@eghsbiz  
• Pat Page Website
• Quizlet Live
• Kahoot!
• Book: A Random Walk Down Wall Street 
• Book: Blue Chip Kids

Memorable quotes:

• “Personal finance, unlike other content, is such a dynamic landscape and when you think you finally got something figured out, there is another nuance that comes or a new product comes to the marketplace.”
• “Save it before you see it.”

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

More posts by Tim