As educators, we often focus on making sure our students know financial content, but what if we were to turn the tables and let our students take the lead in teaching that content knowledge? 

In the business world, the B2B (Business to Business) model has long been recognized as an effective way to build knowledge, strengthen networks, and create long-term value. What if we applied a similar approach to financial literacy education?

Enter the P2P (Peer to Peer) learning approach, an innovative way to teach financial literacy by encouraging high school students to take the lead in educating their elementary level peers.

The P2P approach shifts high school students from passive recipients of information to active participants in their own learning.

By designing and delivering financial literacy lessons to younger students, they engage in deeper learning, reinforce their understanding, and build critical communication skills. Teaching someone else requires mastery of the subject, meaning students must not only grasp financial concepts but also be able to simplify and articulate them effectively for a younger audience.

Additionally, learning from older peers makes financial literacy more relatable and engaging for elementary students. When high school students teach younger students about budgeting, saving, and smart spending, the material becomes more accessible and inspiring. The shared experience fosters a sense of connection and builds confidence in both the learners and the student-teachers.

I embraced the P2P method by partnering with the Jump$tart Teen Teach-In. In April and October 2024, my students designed interactive financial literacy lessons for 3rd and 4th graders, creating an engaging, hands-on experience. The enthusiasm from both groups was incredible. This month, I plan to take 20 high school students to a local elementary school to expand our outreach through interactive learning booths. 

Here are some best practice and implementation strategies for P2P financial literacy lessons:

1. Empower Exploration – Allow high school students to choose financial topics that resonate with them, such as budgeting, needs vs. wants, or savings goals.
2. Encourage Collaboration – Have high school students work in teams to research, design, and create materials for the lesson.
3. Foster Creativity – Allow students the space to design their lessons using interactive activities, stories, or games that make financial concepts engaging for younger students. *Special Note: Encouraging the use of AI applications (as appropriate) is a wonderful way to gain real-world skills.*
4. Practice & Feedback – Provide opportunities for students to refine their lessons through peer reviews and teacher feedback before presenting to elementary students. Students gain valuable skills through this process and are much more prepared.
5. Communication with Stakeholders – Encourage administration and local news organizations to celebrate this P2P engagement. Try to provide handouts of skills learned for elementary students to take home and share.

By embracing P2P learning in financial literacy education, we not only strengthen high school student comprehension but also instill leadership and communication skills that will benefit them in the future. This powerful ripple effect ensures that financial education is not just received passively but truly understood and applied at all stages of the learning process.

I urge fellow educators to take advantage of any P2P opportunities and utilize the best practices and strategies listed above. By letting students take charge of financial literacy lessons, we are not just teaching them about money—we are preparing them to be leaders who will shape a financially literate future for the next generation.

Additional References:

• Lenoir County High Schoolers Deliver Financial Literacy Crash Course to Third Graders 
• Dr. Travis Towne: Celebrating April as Financial Literacy Month

If you'd like to host a Teen Teach-In this month, head to the Jump$tart website for more information. 

About the Author

Travis Towne

Dr. Travis Towne is an NGPF Ambassador and teacher at Lenoir County Early College High School in North Carolina. Travis has 20 years of experience as an educator and currently teaches Civic Literacy and Economics & Personal Finance.