Carol Watson

 Theodore Roosevelt Middle School
 Williamsport, PA
 Williamsport Area School District
 Reginald Fatherly, Principal
 Kathleen Kelley, Superintendent

 
 2006 Graduate of the Governor’s Institute on Financial Education
 Sue McKenney, Teacher Mentor
 Wallingford-Swarthmore School District 

Students in Carol’s sixth grade family and consumer sciences classes do not just learn about business, they leave the classroom with a business.  From budgets to business logos, first aid to fun activities, students receive everything they need to launch their own babysitting businesses.  Some have even used what they learned to start completely new enterprises.  “Two girls have partnered to start a dog walking business,” said Carol.  “Hopefully, more will follow.”

Building upon her classroom success, Carol obtained funding to create more sophisticated child care kits available to all students through the school library.  Each package contains books identified by the Office of Financial Education for their personal finance themes, along with games, puzzles and educational items.  “Students learn the vocabulary and concepts introduced in the books and these are shared when the books/kits are taken home.  Truly a ripple effect!” 

"Carol's hands-on, experiential approach to teaching assures that her students not only learn important financial skills but apply those concepts in real life situations."