Jeremiah Riesenbeck, M.Ed., CFEI
Virginia Economics & Personal Finance Instructor, Roanoke City Public Schools • VCEE Personal Finance Teacher Fellow
As a Virginia Economics and Personal Finance instructor with Roanoke City Public Schools, Jeremiah Riesenbeck believes financial education should be more than a lesson in a textbook. Through his participation in VCEE’s Personal Finance Teacher Fellowship Program and professional development opportunities, he discovered new ways to bring personal finance to life and create lasting learning experiences for his students.
A Dream Years in the Making
For four years, Jeremiah dreamed of creating a classroom economy where students could experience personal finance instead of simply reading about it.
That opportunity came after attending VCEE’s Financial Foundations: A Personal Finance Conference for Educators, hosted in partnership with the VCU Financial Success Center. There, he discovered new classroom resources, connected with fellow educators, and found the My Classroom Economy program by Vanguard, the missing piece that would finally turn his vision into reality.
“It was the key that unlocked this entire endeavor,” Jeremiah said.
Learning by Doing
Jeremiah transformed his classroom into a working economy where students applied for jobs, earned wages, paid bills, contributed to savings, purchased property, planned for retirement, and made real financial decisions throughout the school year.
Wanting to make the experience even more meaningful, Jeremiah reached out to local financial institutions and community partners. Their generosity resulted in more than $3,500 in funding, along with donated prizes and scholarships that brought additional excitement and purpose to the program.
By the end of the year, the classroom economy had generated an estimated $7,000 in educational value, creating opportunities for students to experience the rewards and responsibilities of financial decision-making in a safe, engaging environment.
Transforming Student Success
The results reached far beyond classroom engagement.
Jeremiah’s students raised their first-time W!SE certification pass rate from 69% to 82%, while average assessment scores increased dramatically from approximately 40% to 78%.
Across six classes and 137 students, they also demonstrated the habits of responsible financial decision-making by earning wages, building savings, paying bills on time, setting financial goals, and making thoughtful spending decisions through their classroom economy.
For Jeremiah, those accomplishments represented far more than numbers.
“They represent dedication, responsibility, and newfound financial wisdom.”
The Ripple Effect
Jeremiah’s story demonstrates the power of investing in educators.
When teachers are equipped with meaningful professional development, innovative resources, and a network of support, they create learning experiences that extend far beyond a single classroom.
“Your belief in these students and this program has made a tangible difference,” Jeremiah shared. “Together, we’re equipping students with the skills and confidence to navigate the financial challenges that lie ahead.”
One educator. One classroom. Hundreds of students empowered to make informed financial decisions.
That is the ripple effect of VCEE.
Empower One Teacher. Impact Hundreds of Students.
When educators have access to meaningful professional development and classroom resources, their impact reaches far beyond a single school year. Your gift helps VCEE continue equipping teachers like Jeremiah with the tools they need to prepare students for success.