JA Finance Park Educator Resources

You’re Registered! Now What?

We’re excited to welcome you and your students to JA Finance Park!

Your JA Finance Park experience starts in the classroom. The lessons students complete before their visit are essential to preparing them for Simulation Day. This page has everything you need to get ready, including teacher training, curriculum resources, student preparation, volunteer information, and important reminders.

Bookmark this page and check back often as your simulation date approaches!

Teacher Training

Teacher training is designed to help you understand the JA Finance Park curriculum, prepare your students, and make the most of your Simulation Day experience.

Virtual Teacher Trainings

Virtual trainings will be held on Zoom and recorded. The meeting link will be sent a few weeks before each training. If you cannot attend, contact your Site Manager for access to the recording.

• TBD

Prepare Your Students

JA Finance Park begins in your classroom! Completing the required lessons and student preparation activities before Simulation Day will help students feel confident and ready to make financial decisions during their Finance Park experience.

Use your JA Finance Park resources to:

• Access your digital teacher curriculum through learn.ja.org.

• Locate and review your Finance Park teacher materials.

• Complete the required JA Finance Park lessons before your visit.

• Review key financial concepts with your students, including income, taxes, budgeting, saving, spending, credit, and financial decision-making.

• Make sure students understand that they will receive a real-life financial scenario and will be responsible for making decisions based on their assigned family's needs and income.

• Review the Simulation Day schedule and expectations with your students. These can be found in the visit information provided by your Site Manager.

• Encourage students to come prepared to work together, ask questions, solve problems, and make thoughtful financial decisions.

What Should Students Bring?

Students only need to bring:

• Lunch

• Water bottle

• No backpacks are needed.

• Dress: Comfortable, school-appropriate clothing and shoes are recommended. Students will be actively participating throughout the experience.

Volunteers Make JA Finance Park Possible

Volunteers are an important part of the JA Finance Park experience. They serve as facilitators and financial coaches, helping students navigate their financial scenarios and make decisions throughout the simulation.

No financial or business expertise is required! JA provides volunteers with the training and resources they need to support students.

Start Recruiting Early!

JA Finance Park requires 1 volunteer for every 6-8 students. Volunteers will be assigned to a group of students and will help them navigate their life scenario, encourage them to think through their choices, answer questions, and guide conversations about the trade-offs that come with managing money and making lifestyle decisions.

Start Recruiting Early!

Need help recruiting volunteers? Contact your JA Site Manager at least 60 days before your simulation date so we can help you plan for a successful Simulation Day.