Pocket Change
Digital Academy
Train the Trainer • Build the Future
Pocket Change
Ambassador Program
Students teaching students. Leaders building leaders. A cross school movement empowering Primary, Middle, and Secondary students to become financial literacy champions.
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School Levels
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Quarterly Challenges
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Dream Builders
Program Overview
Building Dream Builders
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The Pocket Change Ambassador Program is a leadership initiative designed to embed financial literacy directly into the school ecosystem. The program identifies and trains a select group of students from Middle and Secondary schools to become Pocket Change Trainers. These Trainers then educate and mentor younger students in Primary schools, as well as their peers, creating a ripple effect of financial knowledge throughout the entire school system.
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The program culminates each quarter in a Capstone Project Competition, where teams of young learners showcase their understanding of financial concepts through real world applications.
Vision
To create a self-sustaining, certified network of financial literacy educators who empower the next generation of Dream Builders and Asset Owners.
Trained Directly by Shantel DeShield
All Pocket Change Trainers complete an intensive certification program led by founder Shantel DeShield herself. This ensures every Trainer, whether a seasoned teacher or a senior student leader, delivers consistent, high quality financial literacy education.
Teacher Track
Certified educators learn how to integrate financial literacy into existing curricula, lead school wide initiatives, and mentor student Trainers.
Senior Student Track
Exceptional senior students are nominated by their schools to become certified peer leaders, delivering workshops and mentoring younger learners.
Certification Curriculum
Financial foundations, teaching methodologies, mentoring skills, public speaking, and project management. Graduates receive official Pocket Change Trainer certification.
The Trainers & The Learners
Certified Pocket Change Trainers
Who They Are: Teachers and senior school students who have completed the exclusive certification program with Founder Shantel DeShield.
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Teacher Trainers:
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Certified educators who integrate financial literacy into school curriculum
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Lead school wide financial literacy initiatives
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Mentor and supervise senior student Trainers
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Serve as the school's primary liaison to Pocket Change BDA
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Senior Student Trainers:
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Nominated by teachers based on leadership potential
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Complete the same certification program alongside teachers
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Lead monthly "Money Talks" workshops for younger students
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Mentor teams of 3-5 younger learners for Capstone Projects
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Trainer Benefits:
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Official Pocket Change Trainer certification from Shantel DeShield
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Letter of recommendation for university or career advancement
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Access to exclusive Trainer resources and community
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Recognition at annual Pocket Change Awards
Young Learners
Who They Are: Students from Primary, Middle, and Secondary schools who participate in workshops and Capstone Projects led by certified Trainers.
Learning Journey:
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Attend peer led workshops with their assigned Trainer
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Join a Capstone Project team (3-5 students per team)
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Engage with Pocket Change flashcards, workbooks, and activities
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Present projects at quarterly showcase events
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Benefits:
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Age appropriate financial literacy education
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Mentorship from certified teachers and senior students
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Teamwork, presentation, and leadership skills
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Chance to win prizes and be featured on Pocket Change platforms
Quarterly Capstone Projects
Each quarter, teams work together on a hands on, real world challenge. Projects are scaled by age, with Trainers adapting complexity for their teams.
Quarter 1 • Fall
The Business Plan Challenge
Teams create a business plan for a kid friendly business. Younger students can draw their ideas; older students create full one page plans.
Quarter 2 • Winter
The Savings Challenge
Design a savings goal tracker and present a plan to achieve a specific financial goal. Visual posters and presentations.
Quarter 3 • Spring
The Investor Showcase
Research a company and explain why it would be a good investment. Focus on understanding ownership and growth.
Quarter 4 • Summer
Community Impact Project
Design a fundraiser for a local charity with a full budget and execution plan. Real world social entrepreneurship.
Competition Structure
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School Level
All teams present. One winner per school.
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Regional Finals
School winners compete. Judges include business leaders.
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Grand Prize
Savings bonds, camp scholarships, tablets, and features.
Trainer Certification Curriculum
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All Trainers, including both teachers and senior students, complete a comprehensive certification program led personally by Founder Shantel DeShield. The curriculum begins with Financial Foundations, where Trainers master core money concepts, budgeting basics, the difference between assets and liabilities, and an introduction to investing. In Teaching Methodologies, they learn how to deliver age appropriate instruction, keep students engaged, and adapt content for different learning levels.
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The Mentoring & Leadership module equips them with skills for leading teams, resolving conflicts, encouraging participation, and building confidence in young learners.
Finally, Public Speaking & Communication training covers presentation skills, storytelling techniques, effective use of visual aids, and strategies for speaking confidently to different age groups.
Upon completion, graduates receive official Pocket Change Trainer certification and are fully prepared to lead workshops, mentor students, and guide Capstone Project teams in their schools.