Three employees from American Eagle Federal Credit Union, Teresa Knox; Tim Carpenter and Ann-Marie Katzer, served as financial educators for a group of twenty-six students in an after school program offered at the Magnet school, Pathways to Technology High School located in Windsor, Connecticut. Credit Union employees Dana Laferriere, Lori Kraft, Linda Reale, Brian Kennedy and Susan Waide were also major contributors to this project.

The six-week program is based around financial preparation of the student’s futures, teaching subjects such as budgeting, utilizing savings and checking accounts, credit cards and loans. The classes also prepare the students by helping them to create resumes and learn interview techniques.

American Eagle has also brought guest speakers in to the classrooms to educate the students. Jim MacPherson from the Automobile Club of America and the WTIC-AM “Car Doctor,” presented to over two-hundred students on the techniques of buying a used car. Teaching the students what they should look for when purchasing a used vehicle and how to be a “smart shopper.” 

Sue Kelly, an Education Specialist from Consumer Credit Counseling Services, a division of Money Management International, was also a guest speaker. She educated students on the importance of managing credit to avoid future credit problems.  

The Pathways Magnet High School seeks to empower its diverse community of students to develop the skills needed to become fully active participants in our global, technology-driven society. Students acquire technological and critical thinking skills, and develop a sense of personal and social responsibility that will enable them to successfully participate in a growing, fast paced, and rapidly changing world economy. American Eagle is proud to be apart of this innovative school. In the future the program hopes to grow and educate more students of the community in order to better prepare them for their futures.

American Eagle employee Ann-Marie Katzer presents a financial literacy class to students at the Pathways to Technology Magnet High School in Windsor, CT.