Students gaining real-life business savvy in high school's Academy of Finance

March 2007

The world of business is changing and experts agree that schools need to begin reshaping their structure and curriculum to keep up with the human resource needs of the new global economy. Monticello High School’s Academy of Finance (AOF) is making sure its graduates are ready to step into the 21st Century workplace.

CHANGING WITH THE TIMES
The program began in 1999 as the brainchild of AOF director and teacher Wendy Levinson, and past school Principal William Stickney. Stickney’s prior experience with small learning communities, combined with Levinson’s business expertise, help build the AOF as a way to expose students to the world of business and finance while still in high school.

With the help of teachers Nancy Swaine, Susan Bahrenburg and Peter Weinman, the academy offers courses in accounting, business law, international business, economics, financial decision making and entrepreneurship.

It also requires that students work during the summer between 11th and 12th grades. Students have to write a professional resume and be interviewed by their chosen internship site, which is picked by Levinson using each student’s strengths. This part of the program has created strong ties with local businesses who want to help students understand and experience a real work environment.

PRICELESS EXPERIENCE
AOF student Diana Accardo, who interned as an assistant bookkeeper for a local fish market, explained how she has been exposed to things in business that she never would have experienced otherwise. “When the head bookkeeper went on vacation, I actually got to do her job for two weeks,” stated Accardo. “It was so incredible!”

Besides the work experience, students got to meet and chat with the CEO of MetLife. They journeyed down to New York City on a few occasions to visit the NY Stock Exchange, the Museum of Financial History, the Federal Reserve and an art exhibit. Locally they got to see the inside workings of an Alpaca farm and an apple orchard. Also, some AOF classes have hosted guest speakers from various business organizations such as the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Sullivan Renaissance and the Sullivan County Partnership.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT
To get into the Academy, students have to request admission through the guidance office. They then meet with Levinson, who explains the details of the program and makes sure they understand that it is a two year commitment.

According to high school senior Rachel Bowens, back in tenth grade she had “no clue” what she wanted to do, but was “pushed” to go into the AOF program by Levinson, who saw a strong potential in the girl.

Now Rachel is one of the program’s biggest advocates and can’t thank Levinson enough for her guidance. “This program has given me the confidence to do anything I want, including talk in front of a large group of people,” stated Rachel. “I love it!”

PREPARING FUTURE GENERATIONS
All of the AOF students agree that they are much more confident and prepared, not only to move on to college, but to face the challenges of the real-world workplace.

They also note that personal relationships among themselves and their teachers have grown into a very powerful bond during the last two years. So much so, that they feel the friendships they established from being part of this small learning community have the potential to last a lifetime.

As an added bonus, being part of the AOF program helped keep students “in-check” when it came to misbehaving. As LaShawn Moorer explained, “by having such close relationships, you can’t get away with anything!” But that was good, because it helped him stay focused on his path to a career in criminal justice, physical therapy, or the culinary arts; he’s still deciding which.

“Academy students feel like they’re not going to fall through the cracks.”
- AOF teacher and CPA Susan Bahrenburg –

“Over the two year Academy experience, the students come to appreciate the relationships they establish with their fellow members, their teachers and their intern supervisors. It is a win-win situation for the students, school district and business community. Our business advisory board works very hard to support this program and I appreciate all that they do for the students of Monticello High School.”
- AOF Director Wendy Levinson –

“An environment to try new things without fear has been created at the high school. This is an extraordinary thing, as it will allow for teachers to express their creative thoughts and ideas AND put them in action. For only with innovation and foresight will we be able to produce graduates that will succeed in this economy.”
- Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel -

Academy of Finance Advisory Board Members
Joyce Salimeno (Chair) - Gersten-Hillman Insurance Agency
Jacob Billig - Monticello Schools’ Board of Education
Joel Blum - Smith Barney
Carl Casella - Primerica Financial Services
Jonathan Farrow - Upper Hudson Holdings, LLC
Susan Horton & Cindy Kashan - Sullivan County Community College
Jacquie Leventoff - Kohl’s Distribution Center
Diane Levine - Catskill Brokers
Zane Morganstein - Associated Mutual Insurance Cooperative
Pamela Rourke - Sullivan County Government Center
Richard Rowley - Rowley Building Products
Christopher Schmidt - Schmidt’s Wholesale Inc.
Janet Siano - First National Bank of Jeffersonville
Richard Sush - Community member
Mona Tugender - County Fountain Supplies
Michael Wapnick - Ike’s Auto Parts

Academy of Finance Advisory Board Members
Joyce Salimeno - chairperson, Jacob Billig, Joel Blum, Carl Casella, Jonathan Farrow, Susan Horton, Cindy Kashan, Jacquie Leventoff, Diane Levine, Zane Morganstein, Pamela Rourke, Richard Rowley, Christopher Schmidt, Janet Siano, Richard Sush, Mona Tugender and Michael Wapnick.

2005-06 Internship Sites:
Catskill Regional Medical Center
Coldwell Banker, Currier and Lazier
Community Bank of Sullivan County
County Fountain Supplies
Crystal Run Healthcare
Eden Brook Fish Company
Gersten Hillman Insurance Agency
Jacob Billig, Attorney at Law
Kristt Company
Schmidt’s Wholesale
Schulman and Fine Law Offices
The Siegel Agency
Slayton Studios
Tara Senkel, Attorney at Law
The Fitness Factory
Village of Monticello Parks and Recreation Department

What’s to come
With the success of the Academy of Finance and this year’s new Freshman Academy, Monticello High School and district administrators are working on plans for three new academies. They include an Academy of Fine Arts, Academy of Math, Science and Technology, and a Humanities Academy.

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