 Wells Fargo's commitment to teaching financial literacy skills has grown from a single partnership in Eagle River that was formed 16 years ago, to an entire web based curriculum that has been implemented in three Anchorage middle schools.
It all started in 1995, when Wells Fargo employees formed a partnership with Gruening Middle School. Bank employees frequently visited the school to talk to students about budgeting, checking and savings accounts, and general banking practices. They also participated in mock interview lessons for SBP and business education courses.
In recent years, Wells Fargo invested over a million dollars to develop a comprehensive financial literacy curriculum for K-16 offered free online and called "Hands on Banking." Locally, Wells Fargo entered an ASD partnership to encourage use of the curriculum in all ASD schools.
The teenage component of "Hands on Banking" is taught by a computer named Angie. According to middle school staff members, Angie uses language that kids can easily relate to and understand. The financial literacy program includes a teacher's guide and student activities for each topic. The "Hands on Banking" curriculum became an invaluable part of the curriculum at Gruening, and it has spread to Clark and Mears Middle Schools as well.
When Clark Middle School reopened its doors in 2009, community outreach was a renewed mission of the staff. An elective financial literacy course was created, and entering a partnership with Wells Fargo was a natural first step. Within two years, the "Finance Academy" has grown from one class of 10 students to two sections with over 50 students. The increased interest can be attributed to both the excellent instructors and the school's partnership with Wells Fargo. In addition to using the "Hands on Banking" curriculum, Wells Fargo volunteers visit the school on a weekly basis to teach lessons about interviewing skills, credit, fraud, cash handling, investments, dressing for success, and teller basics. These volunteers teach with humor and truly understand middle schoolers. They are professionals who provide excellent role models to the students. At the end of each semester, Wells Fargo hosts a graduation ceremony for students who complete the "Hands on Banking" curriculum. A special luncheon is held at the boardroom of the bank's main branch, where students showcase their new knowledge and are presented with certificates.
In September 2010, Wells Fargo Sand Lake branch formed a partnership with Mears Middle School. A Wells Fargo employee comes to the school every Friday to teach "Hands on Banking" in an economics class. The bank volunteers are also involved with the school's field trips, community service projects, staff recognitions, mock interview events, and career exploration days.
The web-based "Hands on Banking" curriculum was developed by a national team of Wells Fargo employees. Everyone agrees that it's an excellent resource; however, it's the local employees who bring a human element that makes Wells Fargo such a special, dedicated business partner.
Wells Fargo also maintains partnerships with several elementary schools including North Star with whom they sponsor the JA in a Day program, as well as Homestead, O'Malley and Klatt elementary schools. They initiated a "Reading First" program this year. Their employee group, Checkpoint, has a long-standing partnership with Willow Crest Elementary School. Wells Fargo has partnered with the "Bank Within East" High School branch for close to 13 years. Additionally, employees work with the alternative programs, Crossroads and AVAIL, to provide students with financial literacy lessons, nutritional lunches and e-mentoring. Thank you, Wells Fargo, for your expansive commitment to the students of Anchorage! |
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A student displays the online Hands on Banking program. |
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