FINANCIAL LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM

75% of American teens lack confidence in their knowledge of personal finance. According to a study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, four out of five youths failed a financial literacy quiz. NFCC’s 2019 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey found that fewer than one in five adults is confident in savings. It is no surprise then that several states in the US have decided to require financial literacy courses in high school. Texas has yet to make this commitment, but EHS—per usual—chose to be ahead of the curve and introduced a finance class as an Interim Term course several years ago.

Due to popular demand by students and parents, Finite Math is now a credited full-year course at EHS. The man at the helm? Jonathan Kwok, a graduate of Texas A&M with a BS in Finance. Mr. Kwok has taught geometry for more than a decade, entering his sixth year at EHS this fall. Growing up, Mr. Kwok loved learning about mathematics, participated in his church youth group, and aspired to be a basketball coach. He is living out that dream as first assistant basketball coach for the EHS Varsity Boys basketball team, alongside Wayne Jones.

In a serendipitous full circle, Mr. Kwok is bringing his collegiate knowledge of finance to his students. “I’m trying to figure out what they are interested in and what they respond to. The math is easy, the concepts are the challenging part,” he explains. “I want them to show up to buy a car or buy a house and understand how this works. I want them to be familiar with these transactions.”

When asked what he says most often to his students, Mr. Kwok replied, “I ask them if they are getting a good deal. That is the life lesson. You need to figure that out for yourself using the tools I am providing. The number one takeaway is being educated about your money and what it can do for you.”

The most challenging part of teaching a new course is the learning curve. Working on pacing, sequencing, and getting a feel for what teenagers want and need to know. So what do students think of this new course? Senior Emily Young says, “I believe that financial literacy is super important and it is not taught enough. There is very little financial education available, and I thought it was necessary to take this opportunity,” adding, “Mr. Kwok is also hysterical and makes it a very fun class!”

This sentiment is shared throughout the classroom. Senior Breylan Thompson says, “Mr. Kwok’s classroom is a very inviting environment. I look forward to coming to class every day because he makes learning fun. Looking at the description of the class, you may think it would lack fun and enthusiasm, but Mr. Kwok provides that every class period.”

— Jessica Brown

With the knowledge that Mr. Kwok is instilling in us I will have the ability to make wise financial decisions and put myself in the best position financially in the future.

– BREYLAN THOMPSON ’23

He is the funniest teacher at EHS, and this class always brightens my mood. Mr. Kwok is doing a great job of taking an elective class and making it informational and enjoyable.

– EMILY YOUNG ’23