OVER 800 educators from public and private schools islandwide registered to be a part of the Profit Jumpstarter Level Up Your Money webinar, aimed at improving their money management and bolstering their financial literacy. The webinar, which took place on November 7, also served as the official launch of the scholarship programme that will allow 200 educators to enrol in the Profit Jumpstarter Academy, free of cost. This follows an earlier announcement made by Profit Jumpstarter to forge a partnership with Ministry of Education & Youth.

“The response from the educators coming out of the webinar has been encouraging. They have such a positive mindset towards financial literacy, and over 150 of them have already taken action by applying for the academy — and I anticipate more educators will come on board soon,” outlined Keisha Bailey, CEO of Profit Jumpstarter, a boutique wealth coaching and financial education firm.

The financial educator revealed that her passion for financial literacy is rooted in her journey of transforming her life from humble beginnings, in August Town, through the values instilled by her own teachers.

“They reinforced that success was possible with the right tools, knowledge and determination,” she said. Against this background, coupled with her almost 18 years’ experience as a financial expert, Bailey and her team designed the Profit Jumpstarter Academy. The aim is to support individuals on their wealth-building journey by providing comprehensive financial information in an understandable way so everyone can use the information to take the necessary steps to make wealth possible for themselves and their families.

The academy is an online, self-paced, financial education hub that offers resources on a range of financial topics including real estate investing, global stock market investing, retirement and insurance, among other financial topics. Through the academy the educators will have access, for six months, to financial experts and financial resources such as courses, guides and worksheets, to bolster their money management skills. Additionally, they will be able to participate in live sessions with local and international professionals, to gain further financial insight.

Sophia McKain, dance lecturer at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, commended the partnership between the ministry and Profit Jumpstarter in bringing practical financial education to educators like herself.

“It is a great idea to afford this opportunity to teachers, and I am happy that the academy is designed with our lifestyle in mind by being self-paced and simple to cater to all levels of individuals — from beginner investors to seasoned ones. Keisha’s approach of breaking down money management feels doable. So, by signing up for the academy I am looking forward to it helping me to feel less stressed about my finances and achieving financial freedom. It will also help to keep me accountable.”

Melicia Plunkett-Mills, teacher at Mico Practising Primary and Junior High, expressed similar sentiments about the initiative.

“It’s a good initiative and is timely, especially in light of the financial challenges that many teachers face,” she said. “I feel inspired to learn so I can do more with what I earn and be more confident to invest, so that I can see even greater returns in the future. I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Dr Winsome Gordon, CEO of Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), commended the teachers who joined the webinar and encouraged them to use this type of literacy to improve their lives and multiply their money. She also encouraged all educators to take advantage of this opportunity to be a member of the academy, for free, as part of partnership.

Dr Gordon also lauded Profit Jumpstarter for spearheading this initiative that is expected to have a positive financial impact on educators.

During the webinar, Bailey outlined pointers on how individuals can do more with their income by establishing good financial habits while leveraging various investment and income-earning opportunities, bolstered by financial literacy and an abundant mindset. She underscored, “knowledge plus action is what guarantees financial success”.

In keeping with its mission to provide financial education to improve the lives of individuals, Profit Jumpstarter has hosted a series of webinars for over 100 teachers on financial literacy, in addition to airing a weekly podcast –
Money Classroom, and has also shared other free financial resources via its website.