Teaching Kids Money, Values, and Opportunity with Earl Walton (Ep. 17)
Money lessons often start later than they should, yet children are absorbing messages about wealth, work, and values long before adulthood.
How can families and schools work together to help kids think critically about money, opportunity, and responsibility?
In this episode, Joline Godfrey speaks with Earl Walton, Director of the Ross Roeder Institute at Shorecrest Preparatory School, about how financial education and financial parenting can reinforce each other. They explore how early exposure to money concepts helps children develop confidence and curiosity. The conversation also touches on expanding career awareness, building ethical decision-making around wealth, and creating programs that grow with students from kindergarten through high school.
Key takeaways from the conversation:
- Why financial literacy programs work best when they evolve with students from early childhood through high school
- How parents and schools together create stronger financial understanding and practical life skills
- Why repeated exposure to money concepts builds confidence and curiosity in young learners
- How expanding career awareness helps students see opportunities beyond familiar professions
- Why ethics, responsibility, and values should be part of every conversation about money
- And more!
Resources:
Connect with Joline Godfrey:
Connect with Earl Walton:
- LinkedIn: Earl Walton
- Website: Shorecrest Preparatory School
- ewalton@shorehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/earlwalton/crest.org
About our Guest:
Earl Walton is the Director of the Ross Reader Institute at Shorecrest Preparatory School, where he leads a K–12 program focused on financial literacy, economics, and entrepreneurship. Drawing on his background in business and entrepreneurship, Earl helps students develop practical life skills that prepare them to actively participate in their financial future. His work centers on building a curriculum that grows with students over time, introducing core money concepts early and reinforcing them through real projects, critical thinking, and exposure to a wide range of career paths.
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