PASCO, Wash.- Joyce McHenry is a fifth grade teacher at Columbia River Elementary School. She was awarded November’s Classroom Makeover from WaFd Bank.
Mrs. McHenry is finding creative ways to bring real-world lessons into the classroom.
McHenry, who has taught every grade from kindergarten through fifth and even spent time at the middle school level, says fifth grade has become her favorite place to be.
“I love fifth grade because they still like you. They don’t hate you yet,” she said. “You can roast them a little bit and it’s fun. You’re able to build relationships with them where they still respect you as a teacher and they’re still willing to learn.”
One of the most meaningful activities in her class each year is a hands-on financial literacy project. Students help create a classroom “store,” where they set prices, determine what items will be sold, and ultimately earn and spend classroom currency.
“We do a financial literacy activity every year where we create a class store. The kids set the prices… and then they have to earn the money and spend the money,” McHenry said. “In the beginning of the year, we created our class store, what’s going to go in it, what it’s going to cost.”
McHenry hopes to use the money awarded by WaFd Bank to fund the project so her students can fully experience the store they helped build and continue learning valuable financial skills along the way.
This year, McHenry says her class is especially motivated.
“This group of kids is one of the hardest-working groups I’ve ever had,” she said. “They talk… a lot, but it’s almost always productive.”
She shared that one of her favorite things about this group is how they support one another during each activity.
“They’re asking each other questions. They’re asking each other to help each other. I don’t have to facilitate that learning or reteaching. The kids really take that ownership this year, and it has been beyond amazing.”
WaFd Bank believes in keeping our community strong through supporting students and teachers. Each month, WaFd and NonStop Local will choose a teacher from nominations by the community and present a check to their classroom. You can nominate a deserving teacher here.
