It’s a refrain educators hear all the time from parents: Why aren’t practical life skills, like doing taxes or money management, taught in school? Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Manson School District will launch a comprehensive, grant-funded K–12 Financial Literacy Program aimed at equipping students with essential life skills in personal finance. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Consumer Jungle.
Leading this effort is Manson High School math teacher Kate Sorenson, who will serve as the district’s Lead Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for Financial Literacy. Sorenson will oversee the development and implementation of the new curriculum, designed to serve students across all grade levels.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to understand how money works and how to build a secure financial future,” said Sorenson. “For me, this work is about equity and empowerment. I want to make sure all kids, no matter their background, learn essential life skills. From saving and spending in the early grades to budgeting, credit, investing, and taxes in high school, I want to design a program that supports students and teachers every step of the way.”
In her role, Sorenson will focus on curriculum development, professional learning for educators, and strategic partnerships. She will work closely with local businesses, financial professionals, and community organizations to enrich classroom instruction and share best practices with neighboring districts to promote sustainability and scalability.
As part of the program, students will also benefit from the integration of AI and technology tools to help them better understand personal finance in today’s rapidly evolving economic and digital landscape.
This initiative aligns with the district’s newly developed Strategic Plan, created in collaboration with students, staff, and community members. One of the plan’s core goals is ensuring students “graduate future-ready.”
Manson School District Superintendent Tabatha Mires emphasized the importance of aligning education with real-world needs.
“Our community has made it clear—they want our students to leave school equipped with the practical skills they need to thrive. This program is a powerful response to that call,” Mires said. “Kate’s expertise in mathematics and her innovative approach to technology and AI in the classroom make her an excellent leader for this work.”
Following the development and implementation of the program, the curriculum model will be available to other schools with support from Manson School District.
“Consumer Jungle is dedicated to ensuring that all students in our region develop strong financial literacy skills, and Manson is honored to help lead that effort in our area,” Mires said.