Greatcents

🍎 Fresh & Free: The All-New 6th Grade Econ Curriculum!
It’s been a minute since I’ve shared a “behind-the-scenes” look at what I’m building, but the GreatCents lab has been busy! 🧪💻
I’ve spent the last few months revamping my 6th Grade Economics Lessons to make them the best they’ve ever been. These aren’t just theories—these are interactive, engaging lessons that I’ve personally refined in my own classroom over the last 13 years.
What’s new for teachers & parents:
• Ultimate Accessibility: You can now make a copy of the entire lesson or grab individual parts (1-4) to fit your schedule. 📂
• Interactive Slides: Visuals like “GreatCents City” and characters like Granny Patricia keep students hooked. 🏙️👵
• Ready-to-Go: Includes full lesson plans, video clips (like the “Bad Egg” classic!), and national standards-aligned content.
• 100% FREE: Because I believe every child deserves a financial education. 🌏
The “Money Maker” Series covers the essentials:
🟡 Goods, Services & Ads
🔵 Wants, Needs & Priorities
🔴 Consumers, Producers & Purchases
🟢 Review & Journaling
As a teacher, I know how precious your time is. That’s why I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. These lessons are designed to be “plug and play” while still being incredibly impactful.
Check out the revamped 6th-grade suite at GreatCents.org and start your students on the path to becoming smart Money Makers! 🚀
Please support the mission by sharing this post with a fellow educator or parent! 📣
📌 Hashtags
EconomicsForKids 6thGrade EdTech LessonPlans PersonalFinance EconEducator NebraskaTeachers ClassroomManagement MoneyMaker SocialEmotionalLearning BuildingInPublic TeacherLife FinancialEducation EducatorResources GrowthMindset

🗓️ 365 Days of Consistency: The Power of the Streak

Today marks a major personal milestone—I just hit a 365-day active streak on the Bend app! 🧘‍♂️✨
Two year ago, I decided to prioritize stretching. It seemed small at the time, but the “compounding interest” of that daily habit has been life-changing.
The results?
• Physical: I feel so much better, and that nagging back pain is finally a thing of the past.
• Mental: Proving to myself that I can show up, even on the busy days, builds a level of discipline that carries over into everything else I do—including my work with GreatCents.
I’ve realized that I am highly motivated by “streak tracking.” There is something about seeing that number go up every day that keeps me accountable. Whether it’s an app, a calendar, or a journal, finding what motivates you to stay consistent is the secret sauce to meeting any goal.
In the classroom, I tell my students that financial success isn’t about one big event; it’s about the small, daily decisions. My stretching journey has been a great reminder that the same applies to our health and our habits.
If you’re struggling to reach a goal, try finding a way to track your progress. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish 15 minutes at a time! 🚀
Grateful for the health to keep moving and the discipline to keep growing. What’s a habit you’re building right now?
📌 Hashtags
GrowthMindset 365DayStreak PersonalGrowth TeacherLife EntrepreneurWellness GreatCents SmallWins BackPainRelief GoalSetting DailyRoutine Discipline MidwestLiving BuildingInPublic

📰 Extra, Extra! | NCEE Newsletter Feature 🏆
It’s one thing to receive an award, but seeing the write-up in the Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) statewide newsletter really brings it home. 🏠✨
I am so incredibly honored to be featured as the Reiser Economic Educator of the Year. Reading the NCEE’s kind words about the “joy and enthusiasm” I try to bring to the classroom every day means the world to me.
The feature highlights some of my favorite moments from the past year:
• Innovation in the Classroom: From the financial literacy concert at Walnut Middle School to designing new ways for kids to engage with money. 🎸📈
• The SEL Lens: Leading webinars on teaching personal finance through a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) perspective—helping kids connect their minds to their money. 🧠💰
• GreatCents: How the Grand Island “Big Idea” winner is growing into a national resource for parents and teachers. 🚀
This recognition isn’t just a trophy on a shelf; it’s a testament to the fact that financial literacy matters. It’s about empowering our students to be leaders of their own lives.
A huge thank you to the NCEE for the shoutout and to Grand Island Family Radio for sharing this story with our community. The momentum is just beginning!
Check out the full story at the link in my bio! 🔗
📌 Hashtags
EconomicEducation TeacherEntrepreneur SEL SocialEmotionalLearning WalnutMiddleSchool GrandIslandNE BuildingInPublic GrowthMindset MoneySkills EducationMatters NebraskaProud MaryLynnReiserAward FinancialFreedomForKids

📚 Meet Me at the Nebraska Book Fair! 🚀
📍 Grand Island, Nebraska — Bosselmans
This Saturday, April 11th, I’m trading my teacher’s podium for a vendor booth! 🎪
I will be at the Nebraska Book Fair in Grand Island from 10 AM to 5 PM, and I would love to see you there. It’s an incredibly exciting day to celebrate reading, writing, and local authors.
I will be showcasing and selling my Galactic Growth series! 🚀💡
This series is special because it connects two vital areas: Social, Emotional Learning (SEL) and Personal Finance. Targeting middle school level students, these books are designed to help them bridge the gap between people’s minds and their money, building true confidence.
This is a great chance to:
• Meet Me: I’d love to sign your copy! ✍️
• Support Local: Come out and celebrate all the incredible authors Nebraska has to offer.
• Empower Your Students/Kids: These books are perfect for the middle schooler in your life who is ready to learn critical life skills.
A huge thank you for all the love and support recently. This is another step on the journey to growing financial literacy one student at a time. Come say hello! 🙌
📌 Hashtags
Growth FinancialLiteracyForKids SocialEmotionalLearning SEL MiddleSchoolReads TeacherEntrepreneur AuthorLife MoneySkills BuildingInPublic GrowthMindset MidwestAuthors EconomicEducation EducatorAuthor BosselmansGI

🏆 Nebraska Econ Educator of the Year
📍 Lincoln, Nebraska — Nebraska State Capitol
I am incredibly honored and humbled to share that I’ve been named the 2025-2026 Mary Lynn Reiser Economic Educator of the Year for the state of Nebraska. 🏅
Receiving this recognition from Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) is a moment I’ll never forget. This award represents years of passion for bringing economics and financial literacy to life in the classroom and beyond.
Two things that make this honor so special:
• The Mission — Helping students move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” about the world of finance. It’s about giving them the tools to make confident, informed decisions for their futures.
• The Impact — Seeing the growth of GreatCents and knowing that the resources we’re building are reaching parents, teachers, and students across our state and country.
As I continue to grow GreatCents, this recognition fuels my fire to keep innovating. Whether it’s through classroom teaching or digital tools, the goal remains the same: empowering the next generation with the money skills they need to thrive. 📈
Deeply grateful to the NCEE, my colleagues at Walnut Middle School, and my family for supporting this journey. Let’s keep building! 🙌
📌 Hashtags
FinancialLiteracyForKids GovJimPillen NebraskaBusiness TeacherEntrepreneur EconomicEducation WalnutMiddleSchool MidwestEducators BuildingInPublic GrowthMindset MoneySkills EducationMatters LincolnNebraska NebraskaProud MaryLynnReiserAward