Teaching Financial Literacy Takes on New Importance at the John D. O'Bryant High School

Boston City Paper
By Paul Feeney

December 7, 2002

TONY ROBINSON is a powerful role model for Boston's high schoolers. The Community Development Officer for the Wainwright Bank & Trust Company has been talking to these kids about financial literacy and he does a great job. I know. I sat in on his financial literacy presentation to a sophomore history class last week at the John D. O'Bryant High School.

Boston City Councilor Maura Hennigan invited me to the O'Bryant because she is a strong advocate for the Boston Public Schools including financial literacy instruction in their school curriculum. "I can't think of anything more important in our lives than financial literacy, from the simple act of opening a savings account, to planning for our future retirement. When these high school kids get to college or go to work upon graduation they will be granted credit by credit card companies and department stores. They need to know in advance what they will be paying for their credit privileges and how important it is to maintain a good credit record for their future well-being. Financial literacy presentations, such as the one by Tony Robinson today, guarantees that our students are not ignorant in matters of money."

I was impressed with the sophomores and enjoyed being in their presence. They all seemed bright and interested and asked thoughtful questions of Mr. Robinson. They were genuinely interested in what he had to say on this important topic. He did not bore them. He came with a good slide presentation. Most importantly, he looked very much like a successful banker. But, as he told the kids, he was no different from them. He grew up not too far from the school and was a member of the military for fifteen years. It was only recently, he said, that he was able to purchase a beautiful new home in the suburbs. He carefully explained the difference between checking and savings accounts and the use of ATM cards along with the concept of compound interest.

I detected a strong sense of humor from the sophomore students and there was a good give and take with Tony Robinson. After the sophomores came the seniors. I didn't stay for another presentation. As good as Robinson was, once was enough for me. I also walked away with the feeling that the lessons learned in that classroom on that day would be brought home with the students to share with their parents and other family members. By being in that class, these kids have a headstart in life over other students who won't have the opportunity to listen to a banker as interesting as Tony Robinson. I feel as they paid good attention and got his message and they will be on the way to keeping their financial houses in order - something we all struggle with everyday.

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