JANY | PROGRAMS

HIGH SCHOOL HEROES

The JA New York High School Heroes Program was initiated in spring 2000 to give outer borough and Long Island elementary school students access to both JA New York programs. In the High School Heroes Program high school students from the local community serve as powerful role models for younger children. They exemplify the importance of staying in school and giving back to their communities.

CONGRATULATIONS 2009 HIGH SCHOOL HERO ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!

First Place Winner: NYC
RACHEL RESNIK
Bronx High School of Science

First Place Winner: LI
HANNAH FAIGUENBAUM
Walt Whitman High School

Honorable Mentions: NYC
KRISTINA YAO
Townsend Harris High School

JESSICA SALAMA
Bronx High School of Science

HERO RESPONSIBILITIES

All Heroes attend at least one training session and are given time to study their Junior Achievement teaching materials well in advance of the event. Whenever possible, Heroes are partnered in teams of two to teach the K–5th grade classes, demonstrating teamwork to the elementary school students. Hero events can run for a single day, or for several sessions over a few weeks.

Before a one-day event, Heroes meet at their high school to prepare for approximately one hour and travel to the elementary school accompanied by JA New York staff. The Heroes teach 5 JA lessons between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

Hero Curriculum includes:

Kindergarten: Ourselves: Students are introduced to basic personal economic issues and the roles individuals play as workers, consumers, and family members.
1st Grade: Our Families: Students learn about the role of families in the local economy, the jobs they have, and their financial needs and wants.
2nd Grade: Our Community: Students learn about the responsibilities of and opportunities available to citizens in their community.
3rd Grade: Our City: Students review the role of various industries such as construction, newsprint, and banking.
3rd to 5th Grade: JA Dollars and $ense: New!
Meets the after-school programming needs of a diverse group of students by teaching about earning, sharing, saving, spending money, and jobs.
4th Grade: Our Region: Students learn about state economics, the economic resources of regions, and the decisions businesses must make.
5th Grade: Our Nation: Students simulate activities of operating a business in the U.S. economy, including management, marketing, production, and sales.

For more information, contact hsh@jany.org.

Download a copy of the High School Heroes Evaluation Report (PDF) to see how the program measures up.

HERO SELECTION

The Heroes are selected by their teachers based on their sense of commitment to school and the success of the program, class participation, relevant course work, behavior, and a desire to mentor younger students.

The program is a wonderful leadership experience for the high school students, and it's a great learning and motivating opportunity for the elementary school students they work with.