High school students at Bergen County Technical High School in New Jersey are so passionate about financial education that they transformed their school Financial Literacy Club into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Futures Financials, with a goal to teach 1,000 students in Bergen County foundational personal finance skills. The founder, junior Danny Jang, shared a recap of their milestone event—New Jersey’s first-ever student-led Teen Teach-In. Be inspired by his reflection. 

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This past week marked a major milestone for Futures Financials Inc. as we hosted New Jersey’s first-ever student-led Teen Teach-In event in collaboration with the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, with support from Next Gen Personal Finance. The initiative has already reached over 250 students across two schools—Bogota Middle School and Fair Lawn High School—providing them with critical financial literacy skills. We plan on visiting six more schools.

A Teen Teach-In is a peer-to-peer educational model, which brings high school students studying personal finance into younger classrooms to teach a financial lesson. Typically, it is initiated by teachers, but this event was organized by Futures Financials. All student teachers were members of the organization, which has more than 100 active members and is rapidly expanding. 

My passion for financial education stems from personal experiences and a desire to create a better future for young people. Growing up in a community with limited access to financial literacy resources, I saw firsthand the challenges that arise from a lack of financial knowledge. This inspired me to establish Futures Financials Inc. with a mission to equip students with the skills and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions.

Seeing the energy and curiosity of the students, combined with the enthusiasm of their teachers, has been deeply rewarding. These moments remind me why financial literacy is so essential—it’s not just about managing money; it’s about empowering individuals to achieve their dreams and navigate life with confidence.

Event Highlights

Bogota Middle School

• Focus Areas: Foundational skills in saving, budgeting, and distinguishing needs vs. wants.
• Interactive Learning: Students explored the value of delayed gratification and how it applies to financial decision-making.

Fair Lawn High School

• Entrepreneurship Integration: Lessons combined financial literacy with entrepreneurial skills, helping students understand budgeting and risk-taking in business contexts.
• Engaged Participation: Students shared ideas and asked thoughtful questions about managing money and starting businesses.

Across both schools, the students’ curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm were inspiring and pivotal to the success of these events.

Media Spotlight

After the events, I had the privilege of discussing the Teen Teach-In during an interview with Mr. Mark J. Bonamo on My9 New Jersey. The segment highlighted:

• The significance of New Jersey’s first student-led financial literacy initiative.
• Futures Financials Inc.'s mission to expand financial education statewide.
• Our collaborations with lawmakers and community partners to prioritize youth financial empowerment.

Stay tuned for the broadcast of this exciting segment!

Looking Forward

As the founder of Futures Financials Inc., I am deeply motivated by the progress we’ve achieved and the potential for even greater change. Each school we visit and each student we teach strengthens my resolve to make financial literacy a core part of every young person’s education.

Seeing the joy and enthusiasm of the students as they learn, hearing the excitement of teachers as they implement new lessons, and witnessing the meaningful impact of our programs have been unforgettable experiences.

As we continue to grow, build partnerships, and reach more communities, I hope to inspire lasting change in personal financial literacy. Together, we can empower the next generation to create secure and successful futures.

About the Author

Danny Jang