Giving Compass' Take:

• In this story from Education Dive, author Danielle Robinson of the Jackson Charitable Foundation discusses the importance of personal finance education.

• How can nonprofit organizations promote financial education in schools? Who is best equipped to reach out to students on matters of personal finance?

• To learn about how to prepare students for the uncertain future, click here.

I was lucky. High school students in Michigan are required to take one semester of economics before graduation but, in my high school economics class, our teacher Mr. Mariage also included a dose of personal finance education. He taught us about compound interest and Roth IRAs. He had us calculate the time-value of maxing out annual Roth contributions. His point was that by doing this, we could become millionaires by retirement age and the lesson stuck. I opened a Roth IRA with my first paychecks, before I had even graduated from college. I’ve maxed it out every year since and now have a head start on retirement that gives me a great sense of security and freedom.

The time Mr. Mariage reserved for our class to cover personal finance changed my life. Not only did it put me on solid financial ground, but it also showed me the choices I make today can change my tomorrow. And that lesson goes way beyond personal finance. So now, I pay it forward and volunteer to teach financial education in local classrooms each year.

Talking with students about money, I’ve seen two main things. First, all students have something to say about the topic. It engages even the most introverted young people to participate in class discussions and activities. Secondly, learning about money at school generates conversations about money at home, where young people form their deepest beliefs and values.

Money-smart kids turn into money-smart adults. When students learn about the choices they have with money, it empowers them to take control of their futures. And that sounds like a future I want to be part of.

Read the full article about personal finance education by Danielle Robinson at Education Dive