Averi Rodriguez (Class of 2028): Volunteer Work Related to Career Goals - Financial Literacy at Kendezi Elementary School (3 points)

 

My experience teaching financial literacy at Kendezi Elementary School was both grounding and transformative, as it allowed me to see firsthand how early education can shape a student’s confidence and sense of possibility. One of the greatest strengths of this experience was the opportunity to work directly with students in a way that connected abstract concepts to their everyday lives. Working with one student, Jack, stood out in particular because we were able to walk through real-world scenarios using elementary math skills, such as budgeting, saving, and making financial decisions, and I could see his understanding grow in real time. This hands-on, individualized approach made the lessons more meaningful and showed how powerful it can be to meet students where they are. A limitation of the experience was that time and resources were finite, which sometimes made it difficult to go deeper into certain topics or to ensure that every student received the same level of individualized attention. With more time, structured materials, or follow-up sessions, the program could have been even more impactful by reinforcing concepts and tracking students’ progress over a longer period.

This experience was closely related to my other work in education and mentoring, particularly through SpelREADS, which also focuses on developing young learners' confidence and foundational skills. In both spaces, I noticed a consistent pattern: students learn best when lessons are practical, relational, and rooted in their lived experiences. Just as reading becomes more meaningful when students see themselves in stories, financial literacy became more accessible when Jack could apply math skills to situations he could imagine himself facing. Although finance and business are no longer career paths I plan to pursue, this experience reinforced my belief that financial literacy is foundational to empowerment. In Black and Brown communities especially, access to financial education is not just helpful but essential, as it equips students with the tools to manage their resources, make informed decisions, and begin thinking about wealth-building for themselves and their families.

Additionally, this work has influenced my long-term objectives and desired impact. I was reminded while I was teaching at Kendezi that meaningful change begins with access to education and education for all. Equity, access, and practical empowerment, the values reinforced by this experience, will continue to guide my approach to service and leadership, despite the fact that my career aspirations currently center on medicine and research. I intend to continue advocating for early, accessible education that equips students not only to get by, but also to build sustainable futures, and to continue incorporating financial and health literacy into the spaces I serve. In the end, this experience reinforced my determination to work in communities in a way that is both transformative and practical, ensuring that knowledge becomes a tool for long-term stability and opportunity.

By,

Averi Rodriguez