Last weekend, six members of the NGPF team headed to Louisville, Kentucky for the 15th annual Jump$tart National Educator Conference, which brings together more than 300 teachers as well as sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and other supporters of financial education. Read on for some reflections from the conference.

1. A rise in no- and low-tech classrooms

During one of the general sessions, we heard from Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, an Ivy League educated psychologist, best-selling author, and expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He shared how cell phones, video games, social media, and other modern forms of communication and entertainment are leading to a rise in anxiety, depression, ADHD, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and other mental health concerns in younger generations. 

A growing number of states are banning cell phones in schools. It seems this trend is likely to continue. 

Related post: Print or digital? When and why teachers use each format

2. But the Arcade games are well-loved

Despite the conversation about reducing screentime in the classroom, we repeatedly heard you and your students love the NGPF Arcade. Attendees at the conference who stopped by the NGPF booth or came to one of our two sessions got to go home with stickers representing some of our most popular games - Shady Sam, STAX, and Bummer! 

All NGPF Arcade games pair with insightful activity worksheets and reflection questions, so your students can think critically about how the simulations relate to what they're learning in your class.

Related post: Boost Learning with NGPF's Arcade

3. Money isn't real anymore

Another general session speaker, Adam Carroll--founder of National Financial Educators and the author of several books about financial planning--discussed that while digital forms of banking and payment have made life more convenient, it also makes money less real.  This has significant implications for financial behaviors of generations that are digital natives. 

Paying with credit cards, contactless bracelets, apps, and phones removes the physical component of spending that triggers a sense of loss. He calls this financial abstraction and it is the subject of his popular Ted Talk. Guaranteeing students a personal finance education that empowers them to make informed spending decisions is one of the best ways to avoid major consequences of modern money tools. 

Related activity: The Online Bank Simulator allows your students to experience and better understand a modern bank account without the risk of losing their own money.

4. Soooo many attendees have done PD with us

Jump$tart participants were the first to hear the news that as of this month, teachers collectively completed half a million hours of NGPF PD since we started tracking in 2017. Many people in the opening night room stood up when asked who had taken PD with us. We appreciate your commitment to learning and are honored you choose to gain confidence alongside us. 

If you're not yet part of the community of teachers who participate in NGPF PD, now's the time. In honor of the 500,000 hours completed, we're holding a $500 Amazon gift card raffle. Learn more.

5. Your passion is contagious

In all the conversations our team had with teachers during the conference, the passion for making a difference for the next generation came through. If you weren't able to attend this year, know that even if you're the only person teaching Personal Finance at your school, you are not alone. There is a community of educators across the country who care deeply about financial education and continuous refinement of their knowledge and teaching tactics. 

Join the discussion with other Personal Finance teachers in the FinLit Fanatics private Facebook group.

The NGPF team at Jump$tart. 

About the Author

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.