Junior Achievement introduced at Bluff View
Jamie Stram of Fidelity Bank teaches part of the Junior Achievement program to seventh graders in Mr. Plomedahl’s class recently. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)
By Ted Pennekamp
The Junior Achievement program is new to the Prairie du Chien School District this school year and is being conducted by seventh grade teacher Bob Plomedahl and eighth grade teacher Dale Hanson at Bluff View Intermediate School.
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.
The six-week program at Bluff View is promoted by the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce and involves community volunteers from several local businesses who come to the school to teach various topics.
Hanson said the program covers career exploration for the eighth graders and the global marketplace for the seventh graders.
The eighth graders, said Hanson, have been looking into career options in various professions and what the steps are that a student would have to complete in order to become employed in the career of their choice. Some careers would require a bachelor’s degree, for example. Others would require a masters degree or a PhD. Many careers require the passing of exams and gaining certifications and licensing.
Hanson’s students are also learning about the branding of products as well as “personal” branding in order to best market themselves and their skill sets.
The seventh grade students are learning about the various aspects of the global economy. They also are gaining knowledge about the customs and cultures of several countries. Plomedahl explained that people need to know the customs of other countries so that they don’t offend their hosts and counterparts when their company sends them overseas to conduct business.
Volunteers for the Junior Achievement program this year are Tonia Vial from Tricor Insurance, Jamie Stram from Fidelity Bank, Sara Boxrucker from Kramer Real Estate, Karen Bazynski from 3M, Kelly Stigler from 3M, Jon Cook from Czajkowski, Higgins and Tisdale Law Firm, Crystal Goltz from Gundersen Health and Bradley Berthiaume from CPA-Collins & Associates.
