Sami Jo Culbertson says NGPF PD is a game-changer. And she would know. In just three months, she racked up an incredible 138 hours of NGPF PD. That’s an average of 1.5 hours a day! A middle school teacher in Leavenworth, Kansas, she is passionate about preparing students for opportunities and real-world success. Learn more about Sami Jo.

What is one of your earliest money memories?

One of my earliest money memories was creating a homemade spa service called “Sami’s Winter Wonderland” in my bedroom. I made brochures and charged for massages, inspired by my dad, who used to pay me to massage his back.

I used the money to buy Christmas gifts for my family and friends. It was my first lesson in entrepreneurship, customer service, and managing earnings.

Describe your school and the size, location, and community where it is located.

I teach in a small-town middle school located in Leavenworth, Kansas. Our school serves a diverse mix of military, working-class, and rural families.

The close-knit community is passionate about education and highly supportive of programs that prepare students for real-world success.

How long have you been teaching? And how many of those years have you taught personal finance?

I’ve been teaching for several years now, and personal finance has been a consistent part of my curriculum.

I believe that financial education is a life skill that every student deserves, and I’ve integrated it in creative and relevant ways whenever possible.

What other classes do you teach? And what age are your students?

In addition to personal finance, I’ve taught business skills, consumer education, and career planning to students in grades 6 through 8.

I enjoy helping middle schoolers begin to see the real-world connections between classroom content and their future choices.

What makes you passionate about personal finance education?

I’m passionate about personal finance because I know what it’s like to face tough financial situations without the right tools.

Teaching students how to manage money, avoid debt, and build a secure future is deeply meaningful to me—it’s a way to empower the next generation and break cycles of financial hardship.

What do you like about NGPF PD? And what have been some of your favorite sessions or topics?

NGPF PD is a game changer. The resources are practical, engaging, and created with teachers in mind.

I especially love the interactive games, current event tie-ins, and real-life simulations. Budgeting, credit, and consumer fraud lessons are always favorites because students instantly see their relevance.

What are your favorite topics to teach? And activities to use?

I love teaching about budgeting, entrepreneurship, and investing. My favorite activities include role-playing simulations like “Payback” and “Shark Tank”-style pitches.

Anything hands-on that helps students take ownership of their learning is a win in my book.

Can you provide an example of how a lesson taught in class helped a student and/or someone in their family make a better money decision?

One student went home after our budgeting lesson and helped her mom create a weekly meal plan and grocery budget. They ended up cutting their grocery bill by almost $100 that month.

Her mom later emailed me to thank me and said it opened the door to more money talks at home.

Do you hear from past students? If so, what do they say about having taken your class?

Yes, I do! Some have told me they opened their first savings accounts because of what they learned in class. Others have said they feel more confident managing allowance or part-time job money.

It’s incredibly rewarding to know the impact lasts beyond the classroom.

How has being part of the NGPF network helped you personally? Professionally?

Personally, it’s made me feel more connected to a larger community of passionate educators.

Professionally, NGPF has helped me elevate my teaching, stay updated on current trends, and feel more confident leading financial literacy efforts in my school and community.

What advice do you have for other personal finance teachers?

Start small, be real, and make it personal. Use relatable stories and real-world examples. And lean into the amazing support NGPF offers—don’t reinvent the wheel when so many high-quality tools already exist.

Is there anything else about you, your school, or your personal finance journey that you would like us to know?

I believe financial education is an act of social justice. Many of my students come from households that struggle financially, and giving them these tools early can change their lives.

It’s more than just teaching money—it’s about creating opportunity.

About the Author

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.