My Classroom is a short NGPF podcast series devoted to supporting the efforts of teachers. Every couple of weeks we speak with different teachers who share timely tips, resources, and teaching strategies that can be implemented immediately into the classroom.

This week, we welcome Lois Stoll, Mary Jean Gosnell, and Alaina Tharp. They will share the approach they take and the approach of other family and consumer science educators, when teaching personal finance. Here are their favorite NGPF lessons and activities:

• CREATE: A Monthly College Budget
• FinCap Fridays
• PROJECT: Plan a Spring Break Trip
• MOVE: Credit Musical Chairs
• MOVE: What Determines Your Insurance Premium?
• Question of the Day Using Jamboard
• Payback

Lois Stoll retired in the spring of 2021 from Benjamin Logan High School. She is a past President of Ohio Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, served on the Ohio Department of Education Financial Literacy Academic Content Standards Writing Team, and co-authored the Ohio Department of Education Model Curriculum.

Mary Jean Gosnell is the current president of the Ohio Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences. Mary Jean is a 30 year veteran educator who currently teaches at Northeastern High School. She recently provided proponent testimony for Ohio SB1. 

Alaina Tharp is a family and consumer science teacher. Sher serves on the FCCLA National Consultant Team, and the Ohio Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Science (OATFACS). She was the OATFACS New Career Tech Educator of the Year 2019 and recently provided proponent testimony for Ohio SB1. 

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Did you find this podcast motivational? If you want to advocate to increase access to financial education at your school, we can help. NGPF’s advocacy resources can help you achieve Gold Standard or Mission 2025 Challenge Grants of $1,000 to $30,000 (see steps #2 and #4 for details about these grant programs).

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About the Authors

Brian Page

Making a difference in the lives of students through financial capability is Brian’s greatest passion. He comes to NGPF after fifteen years of public school teaching where he was the ‘11 Ohio Department of Education recipient of a Milken National Educator Award, the CEE Forbes Award winner, and a Money Magazine/CNN "Money Hero". He served on the working group for President Obama's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. He has private school experience as a Trustee for the Cincinnati Country Day School and was a past Ohio Jump$tart President. Brian holds a BBA and M.Ed. When Brian isn’t working alongside his NGPF teammates he is likely spending time with his wife, three children, and dog; hiking, or watching Ohio State football.

Amanda Volz

Amanda joins the NGPF Team with over 20 years of experience teaching personal finance. During that time, she led her students to hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, won multiple awards, and most importantly, impacted the financial lives of thousands of high school students. Amanda prides herself on being an educational leader and is constantly looking for innovative ways to make the classroom relevant, rigorous, and fun. She is a passionate advocate for financial education and has been a long-time member of the NGPF community. Fun fact - Amanda was NGPF’s first teacher account! When Amanda isn’t working, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and traveling with her husband and two children.