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t’s still summer, but school will be back in session before we know it. And that includes locals of all ages, from preschoolers first entering a classroom setting to college students, physicians-in-training and beyond. We’re excited to bring readers this special section about education, which covers everything from private academies to public schools, from nonprofits to financial institutions.
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Ascension Academy
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f you’ve not looked west past the bustling businesses on Soncy, or kept driving down 45th Street where the road seems to transform from city to country, then you may have missed the 75,000-square-foot school and gym with a red roof, sitting on 42 acres with an outdoor track, football field, and windmill perfectly placed on the horizon. Here is where you will find Ascension Academy, a private independent school founded in 2000, and the only college preparatory school in the Panhandle. Ascension Academy serves 180 students from grades six to 12 who range in social and economic status, athletic ability, artistic expression and academic skills. What these diverse students have in common is a desire to be challenged in an environment where they can be themselves and be an important part of a close-knit community that recognizes their individual gifts and talents. Each day, the staff and faculty at Ascension Academy strive to live their mission of providing an exemplary college preparatory education in a challenging, faith-affirming environment to maximize the potential of every student. This unique mission enriches not only the lives of their students, but also the community of Amarillo and the surrounding area. Ascension is a special place. It is a place where students can find themselves and their passion. It is a place where they can be challenged academically in a safe environment. It is a place where they can branch out and try new things. All of this adds up to make Ascension a unique school community that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the Panhandle—it is the Ascension Difference. Ascension students are encouraged and supported to become well-rounded individuals who can call themselves Scholars, Artists, Athletes, and Leaders—our Four Pillars. Grounded in our Four Pillars, and given opportunities to grow, an Ascension graduate becomes a confident, collaborative, lifelong learner who is well-prepared for success in college and in life. How are students grounded in the Four Pillars? The school offers unique electives in addition to advanced core classes, athletic programs, fine arts courses, clubs and academic competitions. SCHOLARS Ascension Academy is committed to offering an exemplary collegepreparatory education to its students. It offers a number of AP, DualCredit, and Pre-AP courses. All core classes are vertically aligned, beginning in middle school. Students have earned prestigious recognitions as National Merit Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, Texas Aerospace Scholar, AP Capstone Diploma Scholar, DAR Award Scholar, and National AP Scholar. Ascension Academy is also a member of the Cum Laude Society and National Honor Society, and inducts members each spring. Ascension Academy is 1 of only 14 schools in the state of Texas to be accepted as a Cum Laude Society school. The Cum Laude Society, which numbers 383 chapters worldwide, honors the scholastic achievement of secondary school students. The academic performances of recent graduates were examined and judged to meet the Cum Laude Society’s rigorous standards.
ARTISTS The opportunity for creative expression is both valued and encouraged at Ascension Academy. Ascension offers several levels of orchestra, band and choir, in addition to studio art and theater. Ascension artists are passionate about their craft, and spend countless hours practicing on and off campus. The result is award-winning programs and coveted memberships, such as the International Thespian Society. Ascension recognizes the importance of fine arts development in a student’s overall growth, and many students are enrolled in multiple fine art disciplines. ATHLETES Ascension Academy recognizes the need for students to develop physically as well as mentally. Athletics offers abundant opportunities for character development—from teamwork and coachability to perseverance and humility. Ascension offers a robust number of sports. In addition, many students participate in off-campus athletics that support their passion. LEADERS Leadership is a quality that Ascension intentionally works to develop in all of its students. Students are members of councils and ambassador groups and are the face of Ascension at all campus ceremonies and events. They plan, execute and lead these important activities, in addition to setting an example for their fellow classmates. Students are encouraged to engage in a number of activities and groups that take them beyond the classroom in order to foster a deeper understanding of their responsibilities to their community. Ascension Academy has a 100 percent acceptance rate for its graduating classes every year. The Class of 2022, a small but mighty group of 14 students, received more than $1.7 million in universityoffered, merit-based scholarships from more than 40 colleges and universities. Ascension Academy graduates attend colleges across the country, ranging from every major college and university in Texas to East Coast schools, such as Yale, Princeton, and NYU to West Coast schools, such as Whitman College, UCLA, Stanford, and Pepperdine, and many more in between. The Ascension Difference creates confident, independent learners who are successful in college and beyond, as they begin careers or go on to graduate school. Ascension graduates are those college students who excel in their fields of study and are the students their classmates depend on to get help in advanced math or to review an English paper. They take leadership roles in the groups and organizations on their campuses and communities. They take their knowledge, compassion, and leadership skills with them wherever they go, because they learned and practiced what being a global citizen means as Cardinals at Ascension Academy. This is the Ascension Difference.
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Amarillo College
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oing off to college does not mean the same thing for every person. We envision different paths for ourselves and our children depending on our own circumstances. We might want a quick certificate that will give us leverage for a promotion at work. We could work through an entire program to become a licensed health professional and go straight to the workforce. We might take a handful of classes (or several handfuls) to transfer elsewhere when ready. What we sometimes forget is that all of these ambitions are served right here in the heart of our community, at Amarillo College. For decades, two-year institutions haven’t always had a stellar reputation. You might have heard terms like “cheap,” “basic” or “not for everyone” used to describe a typical community college. But Amarillo College is not your typical community college. Examining the assumption that community colleges are cheap: It is a fact that Amarillo College is an affordable place to get an education. Tuition and fees are a fraction of what you’ll see at the closest university, and the college has not increased those amounts in at least six years. The majority of Amarillo College students qualify for grants or scholarships to help offset tuition and fees. Affordability aside, though, consider what you get for the cost. All Amarillo College students have access to free tutoring in every subject; free access to technology for coursework; free career and employment guidance; free admission to activities hosted by Student Life on all campuses; free access to all library resources, including databases from around the world; curriculum rich with real-world exposure to employers and workforce-specific training; and class ratios so low the instructor knows every student individually. Because the class sizes are small, students also engage in meaningful conversations in the classroom and are exposed to different cultures and interests in a safe learning environment. While the cost is certainly lower than most institutions, the experience is anything but cheap. Many arrive at Amarillo College hoping to “just get their basics” before moving on to a specialized degree at a four-year institution. While AC undoubtedly provides the basic general education requirements that any Texas institution will require for a bachelor’s degree, the college is rarely accused of being basic. Study abroad opportunities, internships with leading employers in the area, and leadership conferences and seminars elevate the college experience beyond basic expectations. If someone considers Amarillo College to be not-foreveryone, they have not looked at all that is available for
them. Offering more than 140 unique credentials, the institution provides immersive learning experiences within trade programs including machining, welding and HVAC, a state-of-the-art greenhouse, a recording arts studio, and fully functioning public television and radio stations. Even if a student chooses a traditional classroom experience, they have access to more than 40 clubs and organizations, which focus on student interests and majors. Clubs exist for students who like to skate, are interested in photography, enjoy playing video games, want to give back to their community, or a number of other hobbies. Major-specific clubs help keep nursing students on track, STEM majors on top of their rigorous math and science courses, and future teachers in the loop on lesson plan activities. With the return of college sports in Fall 2022, our community will get to enjoy collegiate baseball and volleyball games in addition to cross country meets. If someone says Amarillo College doesn’t have something for them, they could benefit from a tour of the campuses to see the available possibilities. Innovation keeps Amarillo College relevant to its community. By adding new resources, updated technologies, redesigned degree plans, and alternative learning opportunities for its students, the college is able to provide the top talent that local and national employers need. Career accelerator sprints allow learners to receive intense education for 8 to 10 weeks at a time and emerge fully certified in cloud computing or full stack web development. When a student chooses a major that requires transferring for a bachelor’s degree, the college works with the student to determine where they want to get that next credential. Then the advising team puts together an individualized transfer plan to ensure all coursework taken at Amarillo College goes with the student to their next destination. This is one of the many ways the college focuses on the student first and foremost. Amarillo College is staffed with people who believe it is their mission to guide others, because it makes our whole community stronger in the end. Whether you are seeking the traditional college experience of lectures and study sessions—or something a little more unique—Amarillo College provides a broad range of learning opportunities and environments to suit your needs. Perhaps we need to re-evaluate what it means to go off to college—after all, many local students choose every year to go “off” to Amarillo College East, West, Hereford, Moore County, and Washington Street campuses and they continue to do incredible things for our community.
806.371.5000 | ACTX.EDU
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More Than a Childcare Program
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pportunity School has been providing high-quality, early childhood education for local families since 1969. That’s more than a half-century of giving at-risk children a solid foundation for learning before they enter the school system. But Executive Director Jill Goodrich still encounters people who are surprised by what the organization offers. “I’m always struck by people who say, ‘I didn’t know you did that,’” Goodrich says with a smile. “We have two campuses and have reached nearly 5,000 children over the years, but a lot of people still aren’t sure what sets us apart.” The core of what Opportunity School provides is affordable education during the early years of a child’s life—from birth to 5—primarily to children from low-income families. But a few of the organization’s benefits are less familiar. Early Intervention: Until children enter the classroom, their families often aren’t aware of developmental delays, learning disabilities or medical diagnoses that may be impacting a child’s ability to learn. The teachers and staff at Opportunity School are trained to watch for these potential barriers, under the supervision of a full-time intervention specialist. “Some kiddos struggle with communication or may not be as verbal as they should be for their age,” says Goodrich. “A new parent without a support system may not realize their child is delayed in that area, but those are things that can be super-important to address early.” Providing early intervention and supporting families in the process is vital to Opportunity School’s work. For instance, the organization has partnered with the Department of Communication Disorders at WTAMU to provide speech and language screenings. “We have WT interns who are learning to be speech and language therapists,” says Goodrich. “They come to work with children at all our locations.” Student assessments help teachers monitor progress and age-related milestones. “We are very intentional about that. Our curriculum and lesson plans involve age-appropriate activities that help develop foundations for reading literacy, math, using the right muscle groups and more,” she says. Children’s brains develop rapidly during these years—80 percent of the brain is “wired” by the age of 3—so what they learn in preschool impacts them for years to come, explains Goodrich. “We start early so they get on the right pathway. They won’t need as much intervention as they get into school.”
Social & Emotional Problem-Solving: Many parents think the most important things children learn in preschool are basics like shapes, colors, numbers and the alphabet. Those are facts and figures—the so-called “hard skills.” But Goodrich says soft skills may be even more important. “You have to teach social and emotional skills just like you teach a child to tie her shoe or write his name,” she says. “We can’t just tell kids to ‘behave’ and expect them to know what that means or how to do it. So we focus on teaching a very broad set of social skills.” For instance, many kids haven’t learned how to handle intense emotions like sadness or anger. “Kids need to know that we understand they’re having big feelings, but we also have to put the tools in their toolbox so they know what to do with those feelings,” she says. “That’s what gives them the confidence to stand up to a bully in middle school or, in third grade, to tell someone ‘I don’t like you pulling my hair.’ We all need those skills in every walk of life.” Professional Development: Every business and organization is struggling in the current job market, and Goodrich admits it can be hard to find qualified early childhood educators. But Opportunity School isn’t just looking for warm bodies to babysit toddlers. “The level of professional development we offer our staff is unique,” she says. “It is very specific to this age group and focused on developmentally appropriate practices.” Many staff members at Opportunity School are beginning educational careers and value the training they receive. “In addition to our internal professional development, we also bring in great outside speakers,” says Goodrich. “They might be from our national accrediting body or might provide training about our curriculum.” As a nonprofit that depends on donated funds, Opportunity School is always careful with how it spends money. But Goodrich views professional development as one of the most important expenditures in her program’s budget. “We emphasize and spend those funds on things that will help us maintain a high-quality program,” she says. With a new Edwards Campus at 406 S. Osage and a recently renovated Central Campus at First Presbyterian Church, Opportunity School students are enjoying spacious new classrooms and a fun, intentional learning environment. “We’re not just plopping kids in front of a TV,” Goodrich says. “We are a high-quality program that prepares young kids for school while supporting parents who need to be at work.”
OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL CENTRAL CAMPUS 1100 S. HARRISON ST. 806.373.4245
EDWARDS CAMPUS 406 S. OSAGE ST. 8 0 6 . 3 8 1 .0 5 51
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Where the Learning Continues BY JON MARK BEILUE FOR WT*
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he Learning Continues at West Texas A&M University provides a higher education experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Now in its 21st year and part of WT’s Extended Studies department, the eight-semester program strengthens their academic and social skills and prepares them for the job market. Three years ago, WT President Walter V. Wendler moved the WTLC classroom to the third floor of Old Main, symbolizing the importance of the program. Students also will participate this year in two degree-classified courses—a communications disorder class taught by Landon Brown and wife Morgan from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and an adaptive physical education class for future teachers and WTLCA students taught by Dr. Trisha Brown. “Our focus is on what these students want to be long-term,” Landon Brown says. “I love working with them. It is the highlight of our week. Their attitude is truly inspirational, and they have made a huge impact on us.” While students who complete eight semesters participate in University commencement and receive a completion certificate, there is now an added emphasis on honing job and interview skills thanks to a 90-minute employment class. In today’s economy, more employers are open to hiring the intellectually disabled. “When we started this a long time ago, one of the things we said is that we didn’t want this to be a warm and fuzzy thing that people could feel good about,” says Brad Thompson, co-founder of WTLC. “We wanted it to be a place where our kids—they are always kids to me and that’s an endearing term—could continue to learn and continue to develop their social and independent skills to maximize their potential.” Including a freshman class of five, there are currently 11 students in the program. They attend four days a week learning math, science, writing, computers and social studies. On Monday mornings they study at the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Campus. The remaining days are spent on the WT campus, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a full Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pam Hicks has taught WTLC students since 2014, following a career in special education with the Highland Park Independent School District. After Hicks heard Andrea Porter, director of Extended Studies, speak on WTLC at a conference, she reached out. “I told Andrea if you ever need another teacher to let me know,” Hicks says. “Two months later, I saw her and she said that we need teachers in the fall. I prayed about it, and here I am. I love these kids and their personalities. To see how excited they get when they learn is
just heartwarming.” Students must be between the ages of 18 to 23, have completed a four-year high school program, have minimal medical and no behavioral issues, and a minimum level of independence. Tuition is $1,500 per semester. Ariana Trevino, 20, is a freshman student and Tascosa High School graduate. The youngest of five sisters—three of whom are WT graduates—Ariana’s goal is to work at Chick-fil-A. Her family believes the WTLC program has sharpened her job skills while broadening her knowledge. “I like school and counting money,” Ariana says, “and I like riding the bus.” Students in Amarillo are provided transportation to and from campus through the Thunder Express, a bus in the Panhandle Transit system. “The Thunder Express delivered her safely to school and back to very nervous parents,” wrote Monica Ybarra, older sister of Ariana, in an email to Toot ‘n Totum, sponsor of the Thunder Express. “We are thankful for this amazing program in our community and a big part that makes it possible is the transportation from Amarillo to Canyon.” When Thompson started the program 20 years ago, he was inspired by his daughter, Hali, born in 1989. Brad and his wife Karen noticed Hali struggling to learn as she grew older. Tests revealed intellectual disabilities. “When we asked the diagnostician what this meant, she said, ‘Practically speaking, Hali will not graduate from high school. She will never graduate college. She will never leave home. She will never get married,’” Thompson says. “Those are the generic dreams parents have for their children, so after hearing those, you ask, ‘What’s left?’” A special education teacher in Canyon provided a ray of hope, talking about what Hali could do, not couldn’t. A few years later, another elementary teacher shared life-altering news: “Hali told me today that she is going to college,” the teacher told Thompson. “You better get to work.” The Thompsons took that advice. At WT, they found a university eager to host students like Hali on campus—along with a business community to fund it. “I’m not sure any of us knew what we were doing,” Thompson says, “but the grace of God saw us through.” At a recent orientation, Thompson says watching the program grow was “the greatest blessing” of his life. “You have no idea how rare these teachers are,” he says. “They will pour and pour and dream and dream for your kid. Because of that, you are incredibly blessed.” *Original article shortened for space
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AmTech Raises the Bar for Education BY APRIL M. BROWNLEE, AMARILLO ISD COMMUNICATIONS
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hen I said this was the premier career school in the state, I may have misspoken. It may be the premier career school in the nation,” muses AmTech Career Academy Principal Jay Barrett. “Experts who’ve been here and see schools like this all the time say they’ve never seen anything like it.” AmTech is Amarillo ISD’s new state-of-the-art career and technical education high school. The massive 235,000-square-foot building partially opened to students in the fall of 2021 and is ready to welcome a full cohort of students in August. AmTech is a training ground for Amarillo’s next-generation labor force, thoughtfully planned with extensive research and expertise, input from business and community leaders and stocked with technology. When students leave AmTech, they leave with a proven skill set that sets them up to earn a living wage right out of high school or work their way through college. Each of AmTech’s nine schools and 28 career pathways leads to an industry-based certification. “Meaning our students are getting in high school what adults pay for in college,” says Barrett. In May, as the 2021-2022 school year wrapped up, AmTech students earned a whopping 560 industry-based certifications. That is exactly how AISD hopes to energize the local workforce. AmTech’s experiential education is tailored for the Panhandle and on pace with future career trends. A 3,500-square-foot robot and drone coliseum gives students plenty of room to become remote pilots—think drones. They can also learn to pilot a Cessna with the VR-type experience of the Red Bird Flight Simulator. In AmTech’s dental lab, students learn to create dental implants and dentures, “because there’s a need for that in this community,” Barrett explains. An Anatomage Theater table in the cadaver lab was custom-made for AmTech. Students can conduct an EKG with a beating heart on a 3D virtual cadaver generated on the Anatomage Table. Students in the animal science program who typically spend time working with rabbits, ferrets and various lizards, will now gain experience with large animals thanks to an outdoor animal yard.
The school is even big enough to encourage creativity unencumbered by space in an indoor/outdoor construction yard. On the flip side, students can build a city to scale in the architecture lab and modeling studio. At Cafe 21 Bistro, which is open to the public a few days a week during the school year, every customer experience has the student touch. The cafe’s logo was designed by AmTech graphic design students. Culinary arts students prepare the food and also staff the business side. In a room designed to look like a modern courtroom, students in the law enforcement track put on a Kevlar vest and Oculus headset and learn how to de-escalate a situation and make split-second judgment calls while face-to-face with a suspect. All this happens in the safest, most realistic setting possible—virtual reality—with the Apex VR package. AmTech is the only high school in the state with this particular technology. Beyond the student experience at AmTech is the way the community can experience the school. A customer, for example, can drop their car off at AmTech’s garage for an oil change, do their banking at the student-run branch of Education Credit Union and then have coffee and a muffin at Cafe 21 while they wait, all without leaving AmTech. “People say we’re trying to think outside the box. We don’t even know there is a box,” Barrett says. “We want to keep doing the next greatest thing.”
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AP R I L B R OW N L E E April is a Panhandle native and a media and communications professional. She is part of the Lone Star Emmy-winning communications team at Amarillo ISD, sharing with the community the people and programs that make public education in Amarillo top-notch.
AISD provides excellent opportunities for students to learn. My three students all had many opportunities and were well-prepared for college and beyond.
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We are new to the district from private school and I have been thoroughly impressed with their response to our concerns and also they are accessible.
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By AISD Students and Parents
I was homeschooled and I can say my kids flourish in a school setting more than they do at home so I am glad AISD has kept its doors open.
The teachers reach hearts and not just the brain.
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Making Educated Decisions About Routine Vaccines
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hannon Herrick’s face lights up when she sees her little patients waiting on her in the exam rooms at Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics. She’s been a board-certified pediatrician since 2004 and has practiced in Amarillo for 18 years. Her love for her work shows the minute she walks through the door, even though sometimes those patient visits end in tears. After all, routine vaccinations are a big part of a general pediatrician’s practice. Herrick says they’re a critical part. “Routine vaccines prevent disease,” Herrick says. “The diseases that childhood vaccines prevent can harm a child. In developing countries, children continue to be severely impacted by diseases like measles, whooping cough and pneumonia. Vaccines in this country help protect children from these illnesses.” During the pandemic, she says she saw a drop in vaccination rates. A recent CDC report confirms that. Nationwide, there was a 1-percent drop in the 2020-21 school year from the previous year. There are many theories as to why the country experienced that decrease. “Over the span of my career, I think the opinions on vaccines have waxed and waned,” Herrick says. “There has consistently been concern about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine causing autism due to a single non-peer-reviewed article written in 1998. Although there was no validity to this claim, physicians continue to hear this as a concern when discussing vaccines. In this part of the country, most parents still believe in vaccines and get their children
vaccinated to protect them.” Even still, Herrick says the pandemic and the subsequent introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine caused opinions related to vaccines to shift. Mattie Been, a mom of three children, who are all patients of Herrick, just welcomed a new baby and noticed things were a little different this time around. “The COVID-19 pandemic brought such a heightened awareness to vaccines and how they are made. I know many parents wanted to learn more about the other vaccines we give our children,” she says. “I am thankful that I can trust the health care workers and providers at Texas Tech Physicians to be a great resource for my family.” “More parents are hesitant about the COVID vaccine, and then project that into concerns with all vaccines, regardless of the relevance or history of the vaccine in question,” she says. “Most concerning is that some parents are distrusting of the medical community. We have seen more parents choose to not protect their infants through standard, well-accepted vaccines.” The most common reasons that parents cite for not wanting to vaccinate are religious reasons, personal beliefs or philosophical reasons, safety concerns or a desire for additional education. Herrick says some parents want their child to get the disease to bolster a stronger immune response than what they would have with the vaccine. Others say that the disease is no longer prevalent in the United States so there isn’t a need for the vaccine. “These responses reflect the effectiveness of vaccines in public
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health to the point that society has forgotten how deadly these diseases can be for children,” she says. “The risks with vaccinations are extremely low and almost never outweigh the risk of the underlying disease.” The most common reactions related to vaccines are pain at the injection site and low-grade fever. Occasionally, patients can get some swelling at the location of the shot. A very low percentage of children may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. If a child has had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, they should not receive it again. Also, certain immunocompromised children should not receive certain types of vaccines. For new parents, though, the routine vaccine schedule can seem rather intense. There are many shots, and they happen very early in a child’s life. “I recently had to get vaccines for my daughter Helen, who is 5 months old,” Been says. “Shots are never fun for new babies, but the nurses assured me that it would only hurt for a minute and that she would be OK. They provided information on what to do if I had any questions or concerns.” The first Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in the hospital, right after the baby is born. Multiple vaccines are given at the 2, 4 and 6-month-old well-child visits. “There are now combination vaccines that help reduce the number of shots an infant is getting when receiving their vaccines,” Herrick says. “Although there are multiple vaccines in each shot, children do
well with them.” Some parents want to stretch out that schedule— giving one shot at a time, but Herrick advises against that. “Stretching out the schedule to give one shot at a time just gives children more shots over time. This may increase the anxiety level and pain associated with vaccines,” she says. “Delaying vaccines also reduces the immunity to certain diseases at peak times when children get these diseases.” Another subset of vaccines is given at the 1-year, 15-month and 18-month-old well-child visits. Many series of vaccines are also completed at the 4-year well-child visit. When a child turns 11, a new subset of vaccines is given to add protection in the adolescent years. Herrick says the Centers for Disease Control website is a great resource for parents on all of the vaccines their child needs to receive. The website discusses each vaccine, the disease it prevents and any side effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics website and its Healthy Children website are additional resources for parents to get information on these vaccines. Herrick says it is vital that the child’s doctor partners with parents to make educated decisions on what is best for their child’s health. The provider should ask questions to better understand the reasoning behind any reluctance. A better understanding on the part of the provider can support the education of the family and can provide resources to help a family make an important decision.
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Budgeting: Looking in the Mirror BY COLTEN HIBBS, EDUCATION CREDIT UNION
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ow did it feel when you realized you’d spent 20 minutes talking to someone in a meeting with spinach in your teeth? Disheveled hair, stains on your clothes, a blemish on your nose—those moments when people look in the mirror and think some version of, “Ugh!”—happen to everyone. Mirrors not only help us see ways we can fix or improve our appearance, but also can increase the amount of light in a room, and provide the illusion of more space. Prized in antiquity, the use of mirrors dates back 4,000 years. Ancient mirrors were made of obsidian or polished metal. Mirrors made of glass did not become more common until the 1500s when artisans in Venice created elaborate mirrors for the French aristocracy. These mirrors were bought and sold for more money than pieces of Renaissance artwork from the same time period. As demand grew for these fragile items, the manufacturing process spread geographically, allowing the public to enjoy locally made mirrors that did not have to travel so far. New innovations made the mirror more affordable and more commonplace in the lives of middle and lower classes. Mirrors allow people more control over their appearance and awareness of how they engage with the world. We can see things we would like to improve, and observe things we enjoy. Budgets are like mirrors. How we spend our money reveals what matters to us. It may also show us more fruitful ways to enhance our lives (adding light to a room), or help us make the most of our current means (creating the illusion of space). A common—but inaccurate—view of budgeting sees it as a limit on how much a person can spend. A better approach is to view it as a plan for how to use your money. A budget is as much of a limit as a mirror is a beautification device. Mirrors do not make you more or less attractive; they allow you to see ways to highlight your best features. A budget is not going to stop you from spending money or help you earn more money. It is going to show how you use your money wisely and how you can improve your financial well-being.
Currently, more than 65 percent of people in the United States live their lives without a budget. Most of those who do budget fall into the middle- or upper-class range. Their budgets are often maintained by financial advisors or accountants who curate investment plans and spending reports. In this illustration, modern Americans with advisors and accountants would be much like the French bourgeoisie—and their financial teams would resemble the Venetian glassblowers and artisans. At the time of this writing, corporate profits sit at a 50-year high and inflation is at a 40-year high. Given that reality, it appears many professional accountants—those mirror-makers—are crafting budgets that enable companies to envision and achieve financial gain (using mirrors to improve their appearance). A budget becomes a reflection of what a person prioritizes in their life. A person who prioritizes financial wellness would have a budget that reflects saving for specific goals, contributions to at least one retirement account, as well as a healthy emergency savings. A person who prioritizes the appearance of status and wealth over financial well-being may have high vehicle payments, expensive rent or mortgage payments, and little in the way of emergency or personal savings. When people are new to budgeting, their reflection in that mirror can be startling. The mustard on their shirt might be the amount of delivery fees and convenience charges they pay for food service apps. The blemish on their face might be the interest rate they’re paying on a vehicle loan. Like a mirror, budgets reveal the truth of what you actually look like compared to what you imagine. When the difference is too drastic to manage, a person might dismiss a budget as useless or ineffective in order to avoid dealing with difficult financial issues. Perhaps they made a budget but only used approximate numbers—nothing exact—and neglected lesser, regular expenses like streaming service subscriptions. That’s like using a dirty, or distorted mirror. No, it is not as useful
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as one in which the image is clear and exact. Today, a clear and exact mirror is not just the one provided by accountants and financial advisors. Like the mirror-making knowledge of antiquity, tried-and-true budgeting methods and technology are now widely available for anyone with a firm grasp of math, an internet connection, or both. There are numerous budgeting apps for your mobile device, and many of them are free and effective. Your financial institution is also likely to have free software to help you build and maintain your budget. For example, Education Credit Union provides its members access to a Money Management tool which members can use to track spending or set savings goals. Users receive a monthly report with a pie-chart on how they use the cards attached to the Money Management system—and it is entirely free. Budgets don’t have to be that techoriented. Some may prefer to review the past three months of expenses using a pen and paper. Others may choose to use digital spreadsheets, online tools, or apps. A few people may choose to let financial advisors or accountants help them budget. Just remember this: Looking in the mirror is an important step every morning, but most people don’t look in the mirror only once per day. Not only are the best budgets clear and exact, but people who check them often and make necessary adjustments tend to be more financially successful. Just like we use a mirror to enhance our physical appearance, we should use a budget to make adjustments to our spending until our savings accounts, homes, closets, cars, pantries, hobbies— everything we pay for—reflects the best of ourselves.
C O LT E N H I B B S Colten is passionate about teaching members of the community “everything I wish I had known when I was younger” about financial literacy. He is a local artist, as well. His academic yet dynamic presentation style blends engaging entertainment and useful information.
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