Verizon professionals give their time to educate students in Newark, NJ on financial literacy skills, as a part of Junior Achievement day activities.

As a team of 26 Verizon volunteers recently discovered, students today have a keen interest in learning the tools of financial literacy and work readiness, skills so important to their future success.

Finance leaders Mike Stafanski and Shane Sanders lead a team of Verizon professionals to the Alexander School in Newark, NJ on September 21, 2012 as a part of a Junior Achievement Day event. More than 220 students in grades 2 through 6 participated.

“It's so rewarding to spend time with children at school and see how engaged they are in learning,” Stefanski said. “The students were eager to learn and share their ideas and dreams for the future. I am proud of the Verizon team's energy and participation in the JA program.”

Volunteer enthusiasm for the day's events was high. Tetyana Savina from Verizon Treasury said the lessons were educational and informative. “They were also creative and kept the students engaged,” she said. “The activities were fun and interactive.”

Third grade teacher Kinyetta Bird also felt the day was a great success. “My students enjoyed the finance information presented and showed great interest in the check-writing process. The Verizon volunteers were well prepared and related well to the students. The JA office provided materials to help with the activities. My students gained good knowledge from the JA experience. Thanks!”

Volunteer Christine Chwe, also from Treasury, summed up the feelings that all seemed to share. “The kids were so interested and in a few short hours absorbed a great deal of information. This was a great experience and I will definitely do it again.”