Want to Volunteer with Money Smarts?

 As the Founder of Money Smarts School of Finance for Children, Martin is passionate about helping the next generation to develop knowledge and skill for making savvy financial decisions, starting at the youngest age possible.  As a teacher, Martin’s philosophy is rooted in practical application. Instead of taking the typical classroom approach of teaching equation first and application next, Martin believes in teaching real-life relevancy first. “We apply everything to real life,” she says. “When we teach the topic of stocks, [the kids] are exposed to algebra ahead of their peers in the traditional educational setting .  I said to my 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, do you realize you have just been introduced to algebra?”  Whether it’s through a scavenger hunt activity about comparing grocery store prices or discussing insurance terminology, at Money Smarts School, every topic is taught from a practical viewpoint. 

If her students and their families take anything away from participating in Money Smarts School of Finance for Children, Martin hopes it is a change in how they interact with money and how they think about building wealth. She notes that success to her is not only improving one's quality of life, but must also include passing the knowledge of asset building and wealth management on to future generations.  “In my family, there is a saying that the current generation should provide a financial stepping stool up for the next generation. Positioning the future generation at a better financial starting point than the previous generation,” says Martin, referencing the transfer of wealth in families. For families in the St. Louis community, Money Smarts School of Finance for Children may be the first rung up on that stepping stool.