If you're often exposed to grade school students, or can remember being one, you're familiar with the frequent (and not totally unwarranted) complaint that the stuff they learn in the classroom doesn't matter in "real life".

"When are we going to use [pre-calculus/european history/a memorized list of prepositions/etc.] in real life?", they ask. We certainly remember asking this same question. Particularly about that list of prepositions. Did we not already speak fluent English? We were in high school!

Well - if you're interested in teaching Twin Cities students about skills and concepts that they will really use (and why shouldn't you be? the future success of this state, and country, begins in the classrooms of today), you may want to consider volunteering for Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest. JA volunteers are enthusiastic volunteers with life experience who want to share that experience with eager young learners. You'll be provided with an age appropriate, hands-on, curriculum focuses on work/career life skills, entrepreneurial thinking and financial responsibility.

Best of all, this high-impact opportunity won't take up all of your time. Make just 8 weekly schoolday visits to a classroom for an hour per visit. You can choose between elementary students, middle-school students, or high-school students.

Bring the real world to students and help them understand the economics of life. Open their minds to their potential. And, of course, have fun!

Learn more.