Meet John Fuex!
What is your JA history?
I was first introduced to JA during my employer’s annual day of volunteering, when I worked on assembling classroom kits and teacher appreciation bags. I got excited about the mission of JA after learning about it and reached out independently from my company to volunteer. Since then, I have been volunteering on and off teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship in the classroom at the high school and grade school levels. I also got more involved at my company as an advocate for continuing our relationship with JA and was the company’s site lead for our volunteering day with JA in 2024.
Why do you think JA is important?
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. What I love about JA is that it enables us to improve outcomes for the people it serves proactively. While I appreciate other nonprofits that help people recover from difficult situations, it feels much more impactful to provide the students with the knowledge and encouragement to navigate all the choices they will soon be making as they cross the threshold into adulthood. These choices can have a lifelong impact for the financial well-being of the students and their families.
The most important thing I think we do is to demystify financial/business topics and debunk the idea that starting or investing in a business is only something available to the rich or super smart. There is no arcane knowledge only taught at ivy league schools. There is no secret handshake required to play, just a little basic knowledge, enthusiasm, and courage to try.
Why do you volunteer and why should others?
I just love mentoring and career coaching. This was my favorite part of my day job. JA is a great opportunity to apply these skills I developed over the last three decades. Also, it is a great way to “pay it forward”. God knows my own career success was in no small part possible because of all the people who mentored/encouraged me throughout my career, including the JA volunteers who came into my classroom when I was in high school way back in (year redacted).
What is a piece of financial advice you rely on or wish you had learned earlier?
Always pay yourself first. Get in the habit of saving at least SOMETHING on a regular basis as early as possible in life. Don’t procrastinate or fall into the trap of “I will start saving later when I earn more” You will NEVER feel like you have ‘extra money’ for savings no matter how much you earn. Compounding is a magical thing that makes your money grow, but it requires time to work. Having SOME money invested is often more important than how much you invest.
What about the entrepreneurship experience with the JA Company Program do you value when teaching students?
The start of each semester with a new high school class can be very challenging to get the students to engage or even participate in the program. However, there is usually a point later in the course where the material will “click” with at least a few of the students who realize that this isn’t just some esoteric concept beyond their reach, AND that it could be relevant in their real lives.
There is a huge sense of accomplishment when the students start asking substantive questions out of genuine interest. The Icing on the cake is when they voluntarily stay a few minutes after class to probe deeper vs instead of bolting the second the bell rings.
Pro-tip: If you want that gratification from day one, volunteer for the grade school levels instead of high school. You will be a celebrity from the moment you walk in the room, and they will hang on every word. 😊
What is some advice you would give your high school self?
Take on more risks and spend more time outside your comfort zone. Failure is a good thing as you are learning from it. Don’t be afraid to take chances for fear of failure. Success is inexorably linked to risk.
A Note to John from the staff at JA of Central Texas
John, we are beyond grateful for your unwavering service and dedication. You have gone above and beyond to create meaningful change for hundreds of students, inspiring them to dream bigger and work harder toward their goals. Your kindness, expertise, and passion for mentorship resonate deeply with your students, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
Moreover, your efforts extend beyond the classroom, as you empower educators with valuable tools and resources to better support their students. By fostering confidence and equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed, you are directly advancing our mission to transform lives and build stronger communities.
Thank you for your incredible commitment and for being a true champion of education and opportunity. We are so fortunate to have you as part of this journey!
~JA Staff
