Schedule at a Glance
Friday, November 6
Conference Registration
1:00 – 6:00 p.m. (Colorado Foyer)
Optional Pre-Conference Sessions
- W!SE Certification Testing
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. - Orientation for First-Time Conference Attendees
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. - For Returning NEC Educators: Emotions Meet Money
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. - For First-Time Conference Attendees: Emotions Meet Money
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Welcome to Colorado Reception and Dinner
6:00 – 9:30 p.m. (Colorado Ballroom B-D)
Saturday, November 7
Conference Registration
7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Colorado Foyer)
Breakfast
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. (Juniper Ballroom)
Opening Session
8:15 – 9:30 a.m. (Colorado Ballrooms)
- Betting on the Future: Teen Gambling and Financial Literacy – Serena King
- Teen Gambling – Part 2: Connection Corner • 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions – Series I
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. (See Descriptions)
Luncheon
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Colorado Ballrooms)
Breakout Sessions – Series II
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. (See Descriptions)
Exhibit Hall and Advocacy in Action Workshops (Colorado Ballrooms)
- Teachers: Mississippi – Wyoming
Teachers: Alabama – Minnesota
Exhibit Hall: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Advocacy in Action Workshop: 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
- Exhibit Hall Open to All: 4:45 – 5:30
- Exhibitor Raffle: Begins at 5:30 p.m. You must be present to win.
“Après Learning” Dinner and Entertainment
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Mountain View Pavilion)
Sunday, November 8
Breakfast
7:00 – 8:15 a.m. (Juniper Ballroom)
Breakout Sessions – Series III
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. (See Descriptions)
General Session
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. (Colorado Ballrooms)
Closing General Session
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. (Colorado Ballrooms)
Closing Session – Jump$tart Raffle
11:45 a.m. – Noon (Colorado Ballrooms)
Box Lunches on Your Way Out
Full Program
| Conference Registration 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. |
Look for the Jump$tart National Educator Conference registration desk at the Colorado Foyer on Level Three of the Convention Center. |
| Pre-Conference Sessions (Optional) 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. |
W!SE Certification Testing • 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Jump$tart Partner, Working in Support of Education (W!SE), will once again offer certification testing for its Certificate in Personal Finance for educators. Though held in conjunction with the Jump$tart NEC, teachers interested in taking the exam must register and pay for it separately by contacting W!SE directly at (212) 421-2700. W!SE has recognized J$FFE Online as a pre-exam refresher course. Orientation for First-Time Conference Attendees • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Attending the Jump$tart NEC for the first time—or returning after a few years away? Join us for this special pre-conference orientation designed to help you make the most of your conference experience. You’ll learn more about what to expect, discover the many resources and opportunities Jump$tart has to offer, and connect with fellow first-time attendees, teacher ambassadors, and members of the Jump$tart team. Come meet new friends, get comfortable before the conference begins, and experience a little “Jump$tart heart” — our way of welcoming you into the community! For Returning NEC Educators: Emotions Meet Money • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.(Repeats at 4:00 p.m. for First Time Attendees.) Our emotions often play a bigger role For First-Time Conference Attendees: Emotions Meet Money • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. For those teachers who attended the Orientation at 3:00 p.m., Cash Ashley will repeat this session just for you. (Description above). |
| Welcome Reception & Dinner 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. |
Jump$tart leadership, staff, and conference sponsors will be on hand to welcome you to the Rocky Mountain region of the Great American West and show you some Jump$tart heart! Join us for cocktails in the Colorado Foyer, followed by dinner in the hotel’s elegant Colorado Ballroom (B-D), inspired by Arapahoe culture, western hospitality, and regional cuisine. This very special event lets us thank you – our nation of personal finance teachers – for all that you do, and lets us all acknowledge the sponsors that make this event possible. All registered participants are invited. Casual attire with a western flair, suggested. |
in financial decisions than we realize. | Conference Registration 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Look for the Jump$tart National Educator Conference registration desk at the Colorado Foyer on Level Three of the Convention Center. |
| Breakfast 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. |
Start the day with our informal, open-seating breakfast buffet in the Juniper Ballroom on Level One of the Convention Center. |
| Opening Session 8:15 – 9:30 a.m. |
Jump$tart National Board Chair Casey Cortese, recently retired from the Charles Schwab Foundation, will welcome us to her hometown and kick off the exciting first full day of conference activities. Jump$tart President and CEO Laura Levine will introduce the morning keynote address.
Betting on the Future: Teen Gambling and Financial Literacy Dr. Serena King – As sports betting and online gambling become increasingly accessible to young people, understanding the connection between gambling and financial literacy has never been more important. A clinical psychologist and gambling researcher, Dr. King will share the latest research, warning signs, and explore how educators can help students make informed financial decisions. Teen Gambling – Part 2: Connection Corner • 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. We’ve heard from the expert – now what do you think? Connection Corner gives you a chance to continue the discussion on the problem of teen gambling in your communities – as well as potential remedies. Discussion groups will be broken down by state or region, offering you a new opportunity to connect with fellow educators from your area. |
| Breakout Sessions – Series I 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. |
Select from eight concurrent breakout sessions. |
| Luncheon 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
 All registered conference participants and guests are invited to join us for an informal midday meal, with a chance to unwind and enjoy the company of friends, new and old.
After lunch, globally recognized speaker, author, and serial entrepreneur Dallin Cooper will “Challenge Your Assumptions.” We all make assumptions—but what if they’re holding us back? Through engaging stories, humor, and practical insights, he will challenge attendees to replace assumptions with curiosity, leading to stronger communication, better relationships, and more meaningful connections. |
| Breakout Sessions – Series II 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. |
Select from eight concurrent breakout sessions. |
| Exhibit Hall and Advocacy in Action Workshops 2:45 – 6:00 p.m. |
To provide the best possible experience for all, we have once again split the exhibit hall hours into three sections: the first, for teachers from Alabama to Minnesota; the second, for teachers from Mississippi to Wyoming; and a final section where the Exhibit Hall is open to everyone. This year, the Exhibit Hall can be found in the Colorado Ballroom, A.
Jump$tart exhibitors are focused exclusively on effective financial education resources (no time-share promoters here!), designed to help transition your students from classroom to life. The exhibit hall is your opportunity to connect with providers who are dedicated to supporting what you do. Learn about classroom programs and resources that you can start using the morning you return. And if you find yourself heading home with more resources than you can carry, the FedEx Store will have a table available with options for shipping materials home. The Exhibitor Raffles begin at 5:30 p.m. Jump$tart will provide teachers with name cards to drop in the baskets of participating exhibitors between 2:45 and 5:00 p.m. You must be present during the raffle to win. |
| Advocacy in Action Workshops 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. (Repeats at 3:45 p.m.) |
While half of the attendees are in the Exhibit Hall, the other half is invited to Colorado Ballrooms, B-D, for an “Advocacy in Action” workshop. Check the Exhibit Hall schedule to determine which workshop you should attend.
The Loudest Voice in Financial Education is Yours Advocacy, simply put, is supporting something you believe in and using your voice to help bring about positive change. Teachers do this every day. In this session, we’ll explore simple ways for educators and others to help advance financial literacy beyond the classroom. The discussion will be led by Jump$tart President and CEO Laura Levine, who has been a leading financial literacy advocate for more than two decades. |
| “Après Learning” Dinner and Entertainment 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. |
 After a full day of learning, collaboration, new resources, and fresh ideas, unwind with fellow attendees at our Après Learning Party in the beautiful Mountain View Pavilion. Enjoy the Rocky Mountain ambiance as you savor an abundant Western buffet featuring the flavors of Colorado, while enjoying great conversation, breathtaking mountain views, and live entertainment from Nashville recording artist Nick Smith and his band. Dress for an indoor “snowball” fight – because you never know when one might break out. All registered participants and guests are welcome. |
If you’re leaving the hotel shortly after the conference concludes, consider checking out before breakfast and storing your luggage at the Bell Desk for a smoother departure after lunch. Please note that, for safety and space considerations, luggage is not permitted in the ballroom.
| Breakfast 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. |
Start the day with our informal, open-seating breakfast buffet in the Juniper Ballroom on Level One of the Convention Center. At the conference, watch for messages from “Flip,” our conference chatbot. |
| Announcements and Awards 8:15 – 8:45 a.m. |
Jump$tart President Laura Levine will kick off the final morning with special announcements, including the location of the 2027 Jump$tart NEC. She will be joined by Board Chair Casey Cortese to introduce recipients of the 2027 Board Chair Scholarship awards. |
| Breakout Sessions – Series III 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. |
Select from eight concurrent breakout sessions. |
| General Session 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. |
 Decisive Action in a World of AI Paralysis
AI is evolving rapidly, leaving many educators wondering where to begin. Dan Fitzpatrick, an internationally recognized educator, bestselling author, and leading voice on the practical use of artificial intelligence in education, will help us move beyond uncertainty by offering practical strategies, clear guidance, and the confidence to make informed decisions about integrating AI into teaching and learning. |
| Closing General Session 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. |
 G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness
How do you bounce back from setbacks – personal or professional? Dr. Omekongo Dibinga, an internationally recognized speaker, author, professor, poet, and motivational leader who inspires audiences to overcome challenges, embrace their potential, and take meaningful action toward positive change, will challenge us to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Through powerful storytelling and practical strategies, Dr. Omekongo will guide us through overcoming obstacles, embracing resilience, and taking intentional steps toward reaching our full potential. |
| Closing Session – Jump$tart Raffle 11:45 a.m. – Noon |
 Do you like prizes? Of course you do! Then don’t miss the closing session of the Jump$tart NEC where members of the Jump$tart management team will be on hand to wrap up the conference, make some exciting announcements, thank you again for all that you do, and kick off our annual door prizes of great stuff. You must be present to win!
Then, on your way out, pick up your professional development certificate and a box lunch. Travel home safely! |
Breakout Session Descriptions
Teachers will select their breakout sessions at the time of registration. We will remind you of your selections onsite. Registered sponsors and exhibitors may sit in ony any session as their schedules allow. Click below to find session descriptions for each breakout series.