Make the most of CalSTRS, employer benefits and investments

This course is designed to teach California educators everything around your financial life as a teacher that you wish you had been taught before. You will learn about several topics including planning for retirement, your CalSTRS pension, optimizing your investments and employment benefits, spending and saving, bank accounts, taxes and credit.

It will not only make a difference in your personal financial life, but you will become an even better professional in the classroom because you will feel confident in your finances, allowing you to do an even better job of meeting the needs of your students in these challenging times.

This class will also help prepare you to better teach the National Standards for Personal Finance Education to your students in either a standalone personal finance class, or embedded in other subject areas. It is also likely that you will learn something that will more than cover the cost of this course!

Instructor Matthew Raleigh with his dog
Instructor
Matthew Raleigh

Meet instructor Matthew Raleigh, a dedicated high school teacher from northern California. Matt is passionate about shaping young minds in the classroom as well as committed to empowering fellow educators in their financial journey. As a co-author of a comprehensive book on financial literacy tailored for teachers in the Golden State, Matt's mission is clear: to provide invaluable insights into the intricacies of the CalSTRS pension system and guide educators on optimizing their investments for a secure financial future.

Beyond the pages of the book, Matt is a personal finance enthusiast and financial coach for teachers seeking guidance navigating the complex landscape of retirement planning. He delves into topics such as determining optimal contributions to supplemental investment accounts and understanding the impact of work duration on pension and benefits. Beyond numbers, Matt also believes in aligning financial goals with the values that matter most in life. His course, Financial Literacy for Educators, extends a helping hand to fellow educators, facilitating practical improvements in their finances and enabling them to make informed decisions that resonate with their aspirations.

Outside the classroom, Matt finds joy in exploration. Whether traveling to new destinations, hiking alongside his wife and four-legged companion, or channeling his passion for sports as the coach of the varsity girls' golf team at his school, Matt's zest for life is evident. In the intersection of education and financial well-being, Matt Raleigh continues to impact the community, guiding educators toward a prosperous and financially secure future, while also achieving professional development units needed by teachers around California.

By Matthew Raleigh and Karl Fisch
TL;DR: Financial Literacy for California Public School Teachers

You know you need to learn more about personal finance in order to make financial decisions, but you just find it too overwhelming, too intimidating, and too time consuming. This book was written for you, giving you the basics in an hour or two, and then directing you to further resources if you’d like to learn more.

Purchase the book
Person holding course book

Offered online:

  • Oct 24-Dec 19, 2024
  • Jan 16-March 13, 2025
  • April 17-June 12, 2025
  • June 12-Aug 7, 2025
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Student Reviews

"This course was wonderful. It really broke down financial literacy for public school teachers in a way that someone who struggles with math can still follow and use."

 

"Excellent opportunity for CA educators to increase their knowledge of personal finance!"

 

"My instructor is very knowledgeable and generous about giving us extra time to complete assignments. Working full time and having 5 kids is difficult to juggle and I really appreciated his flexibility."