Economics is important in life. The study of economics allows people to manage their income and ensure all economic decisions are made with prudence. This month, the W!se Organization came to Cardozo to promote financial literacy through the economics classes in the social studies department.
W!SE, an educational non profit, helps students nationwide to become financially literate, allowing them to diligently be aware of their spending habits, and use their money wisely. According to their website, the goal of their educational program is to empower students both in high school and beyond, in order to compete in the global workforce.
Ben Davis, a freelancer for W!se explained, “I’m here today to interview students and teachers on behalf of W!se working and supporting education, and what I’m doing is interviewing students and teachers to be used in a 100 best W!se high school teaching personal finance event.”
One by one, students and staff came into room 346, which was no longer a computer lab, but now Davis’ production room, filled with lights and filming equipment. With Cardozo being selected, it showcases that the financial literacy program has really taken off, landing the school in the 100 best schools in the nation.
Mr. Lazarus, an economics teacher, explained how financial literacy allows students going into the real world to be mindful of how they spend their money. “So that they don’t make some of the mistakes that they might make if they don’t realize that they were late on a credit card payment or a loan payment, so it gives them a foundation for the future,” he explained.
History teacher Mr. Sferrazza further explained, “I think the kids enjoy it, I think it’s going to be a life lesson that can be used forever. Things like, how to save money, how to invest money, how to maintain and reach wealth, these lessons need to be taught in high school.”
Sferrazza also added, “Much of what we teach we get from the W!se curriculum and then we try to make sure we teach everything that is going to be on the test. Although the test is important, it’s necessary to make sure that we’ve covered what needs to be covered from the program itself. More important than anything else is that the kids understand how personal finance plays a role in their lives.”
Among the people who were interviewed for this program was Principal Colby. She voiced in an interview, “To be able to manage themselves in a way that gives them independence whether they are pursuing college, career, or military regardless of where they go after here. You need to understand how to work with your finances in order to be successful.”
Mr. Georgatos, the Assistant Principal of Social Studies, Naval Science, Law, and Music, was proud that his program was listed as one of the top in the nation. This showcases the success of the economics classes in his program. He also believes the financial literacy program helps students have a leg up in life.
“You have to start with a foundation if you from earlier in life understand how to deal with money properly in life is an asset,” he explained.
Angelina Levis, a senior at Cardozo reflected, “I think the most important thing I learned was the difference between a banking and a checking account, but they are not, one of them gives me interest and one of them doesn’t.”
Cardozo offers multiple economics courses such as microeconomics, macroeconomics and general economics. These classes are important to allow the up and coming generation to be prepared to handle finances in a world driven by money. Taking these courses and being part of the financial literacy seminars are helping Cardozo students for the world outside of high school.
