Michigan Teachers Build Better Personal Finance Lessons for Students

Teachers from many school districts in Michigan came together to learn more about Personal Finance. They joined the 2026 West Michigan Personal Finance Summer Conference. The event gave teachers new lessons and fun class tools to help students learn about money.

The training was supported by Lake Michigan Credit Union. Teachers learned how to teach students about saving money, making a budget, using credit, opening bank accounts and planning for the future. They also talked about buying a home, investing and using money in smart ways.

A big part of the event was learning about online money risks. Many young people now get money tips from social media apps like TikTok. Some people who give advice online are experts but many are not. Teachers said students should always check if the advice is true before they follow it.

Teachers also learned about sports betting and online prediction sites. They said many teens see betting ads every day on TV, phones and the internet. Some students are already trying sports betting without knowing the risks. Teachers want to help students understand how betting can lead to money loss and other problems.

Michigan has made Personal Finance a graduation requirement. Students in the Class of 2028 and later must complete a half credit Personal Finance course before they finish high school. Some schools will teach it as a separate class while others will include it in subjects like economics or math.

The conference also gave teachers games, group activities and easy lesson plans they can use in the classroom. These tools are made to help students enjoy learning while building real money skills.

Teachers said good money lessons can help students make smart choices for life. They believe students who understand money will be better at saving, spending and planning for the future. Strong Personal Finance education can also help families, schools and local communities grow stronger.