Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg School January 2105 | Page 7

Fourth-graders take over BizTown
Elizabeth Lane students run a miniature city, learn valuable lessons
Wade Badgley, a fourth-grader at Elizabeth Lane Elementary and BizTown mayor, was busy signing documents behind his desk Oct. 29. He and
his classmates took over Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown in Charlotte, a city
replica where students are in charge. They elect a mayor, obtain business
loans, manage accounts and pay taxes.
“I get asked a lot of questions. I answer the best I can or ask those
who work with me for help,” said Wade. “My job is to keep things running
smoothly.”
Before participating, teachers prepare their students through lessons
provided by BizTown. The topics include community and economy, financial
literacy, work-readiness and business management.
“It’s a way to show, not just tell, how the material they’re learning works
when it’s applied to real-life experiences,” said teacher Jonathan Santore.
At BizTown, students learn to produce and sell real products or services.
They get a paycheck, work on business teams, repay business loans, shop
and manage a personal bank account. Jobs include mayor, chief executive
officers, chief financial off