70 Years of Impact: Stories That Shape Junior Achievement

The Opportunity That Sparked a Passion
Saree Hahn, JA Volunteer

Teaching kindergartners is where it all started for me.

It was fall, and my son had just started school when his teacher asked if I would be their Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer. That single opportunity eventually led to my love of teaching in the classroom.

Over the past 15 years as a JA volunteer, my passion for teaching children about financial literacy, smart money choices, work readiness, and entrepreneurship has continued to grow. I have taught JA programs at every grade level, and I honestly cannot pick a favorite. Each age group offers something unique and rewarding, making it easy to keep coming back year after year.

I have been blessed to learn from my grandfather and father, both brilliant businessmen who instilled in me the values and skills needed to become a successful and financially savvy businesswoman. My father played a significant role in shaping my career in accounting & leadership without even realizing it.

In my early twenties, I began working at his powder coating company. I started at the bottom as a shop laborer and worked my way up through the company. Along the way, I tried to learn everything I could from him. Those experiences ultimately led me to a successful career in accounting. Hard work and determination are two qualities that have helped me become who I am today, and my father has been an incredible mentor throughout my journey.

On July 15, 2025, I underwent a life-saving medical procedure: a living donor liver transplant made possible by my sister's extraordinary gift. To say my life has changed over the past year would be an understatement.

This journey has given me the opportunity to slow down and reflect on what truly matters. As I focused on healing, I began to realize that my career in finance and accounting might be coming to a close. One unexpected blessing from this experience has been the opportunity to become more involved in my community and dedicate more time to teaching through Junior Achievement.

During the Spring 2026 semester, I taught six JA classes, reaching approximately 140 students. From February through May, I was in the classroom three days each week. As the semester progressed and my final sessions approached, I found myself dreading the end of the school year. I simply was not ready to leave the classroom. For the first time, I began seriously asking myself whether a career change might be possible.

Now, as summer winds down and the start of a new school year approaches, my heart is already smiling. Knowing that I will soon return to the classroom fills me with excitement for the students I will meet and the impact I hope to make.

While I still have a health journey ahead of me and continue working toward a new normal—whatever that may look like—I remain focused on teaching and discovering where this path may lead. I am excited to see what the next year brings. Whether I find myself in the classroom part-time or full-time, I know that education will be part of my future.

My love for children and teaching would never have developed without Junior Achievement. The reward I feel every time I leave a classroom is what keeps drawing me back. The hugs and thank-you notes are simply a bonus.

Looking back, what began as a volunteer opportunity in my son's kindergarten classroom has become a passion, a purpose, and perhaps even the next chapter of my life.