• 55°

Personal Finance now an elective for Madison middle school students

Maggie Jo Effinger, at right, gives a report during "Money - Personal Finance," a new elective at Discovery Middle School taught by Carrie Maxwell, at left. (CONTRIBUTED)
Maggie Jo Effinger, at right, gives a report during “Money – Personal Finance,” a new elective at Discovery Middle School taught by Carrie Maxwell, at left. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Elective classes for students in Liberty and Discovery middle schools have mushroomed with a five-block school day.

After meeting with teachers, residents and business leaders, Madison administrators determined the middle schools needed more electives as a sampling of high school options, Discovery Principal Melanie Barkley said.

“Not only did we offer multiple fine art and core subject electives, we’re incorporating electives, such as ‘Money,’ ‘Public Speaking’ and ‘Study Skills’ that will teach students ‘life’ skills they’ll utilize throughout their educational years and careers,” Barkley said.

One popular elective is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy. “We’re partnering with numerous businesses and groups to explore different careers available to students,” Barkley said.

Discovery and Liberty have increased electives from five to 34 options, accommodated by changing schedules to a five-block day, instead of four. “So far, parent and student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s an exciting time to be a middle school student in Madison,” Barkley said.

At Discovery, Carrie Maxwell teaches “Money – Personal Finance.” “The foundation is a budget project where students research a job and pay within the first five years,” Maxwell said.

Adept for this class, Maxwell has a finance degree and banking background. “I cannot tell you how many times I thought we needed a class (about) managing money,” Maxwell said. She hopes students will be better prepared for the future and avoid mistakes that many people make.

Students will learn about income tax, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs and purchasing versus leasing. “Learning to save money” is one major recommendation, Maxwell said.

“They’ve learned to write checks and balance a checkbook,” she said. Maxwell shares scenarios about lazy checkbook habits that she witnessed while managing customer service at a bank for three years.

Online, finance students searched about possible careers, required training, experience and salary. Their top career choices were physician, veterinarian, software and game designers and engineer.

From the class, Maxwell hopes students will be aware of spending and avoid unnecessary debt.

Bob Jones High School

Ashwin Prabhakar earns Gorgas Scholarship for state

Harvest

Tennessee Valley Interfaith Choir: Encouraging new musicales

Madison

“Don’t Mess with Madison PAC” to hold host public meeting Monday about special election

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones to host Fantasy Playhouse summer camps

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ ‘Patriot Pages,’ ‘The Eclectic’ ranked first in Alabama

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones AFJROTC faces off with St. Stephens NJROTC

Bob Jones High School

Top-rated students recognized for Reflections designs

Madison

Finalists named for Madison’s first MVP awards honoring volunteers

Madison

Former Madison mayor questions city council over city manager proposal; special election date set

James Clemens High School

Austen Wyche receives 2023 Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

Huntsville

UAH set for NCAA South Regional Championship game Tuesday

Huntsville

UAH advances with 76-69 thriller over Embry-Riddle

Madison

Mill Creek tops in state with Destination Imagination challenges

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones AFJROTC’s winning streak continues

Madison

School board green lights $58 million bond for new elementary school

Bob Jones High School

Lady Patriots hold off Sparkman in soccer rivalry match-up

James Clemens High School

James Clemens HOSA cinches wins at state conference

Huntsville

Season ends for Calhoun women

Harvest

‘A Night for Enable Garden Party’ to help aging, homebound

Huntsville

Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field starting Friday

Huntsville

Tuberville presses Space Command general to confirm SPACECOM’s move to Alabama 

Huntsville

U.S. Rep. Strong gives first House floor speech, proposes bill to complete construction of southern border wall

Madison

Norfolk Southern train derails in Calhoun County as company faces investigation from federal agencies, apologizes to Congress

Business

Owners of closed Madison pain clinic sentenced

x