For an hour each day during one recent week, nearly two dozen GEICO associates took part in a Junior Achievement of Georgia initiative that had them serving as teachers to eager, bright-eyed students at Burdell-Hunt Magnet Elementary School in Macon, Ga.

The associates—volunteers from service, claims and numerous other departments within GEICO’s vast Macon operations—taught lessons on everything from financial literacy to career readiness, often drawing from their own educational and professional experiences to engage their young pupils.

GEICO associates and Burdell-Hunt students are well acquainted. Junior Achievement has been bringing the two groups together for 16 years for the kind of youth development opportunities that Junior Achievement has been advancing for a century.

“Each year, our associates jump at the chance to take part in this program. These kids are our future, and they are future GEICO employees and customers,” said Marvel Burgess, GEICO’s public affairs coordinator for Macon. “This program is really an opportunity for our associates to tell the students not only about what we do at GEICO, but also to help them learn some fundamental skills.”

Jonathon Barrett, Junior Achievement of Georgia’s vice president of statewide operations, said, “Junior Achievement of Georgia is grateful for our continued partnership with GEICO. Their commitment and passion for serving students in the Macon area helps us further our mission of empowering students to thrive.”

The volunteer teachers used a curriculum developed by Junior Achievement, but the panache they displayed in the classroom was all their own. Claims examiner Jordan Boggs divided his fifth-graders into small groups for a project that explored career options.

“I have volunteered for a few years, and the fun part for me is seeing how excited the students get about learning and how eager they are to participate in activities,” Boggs said.

Katie Griffis is a former teacher who left the profession for a career at GEICO as a zone representative in roadside assistance. She too has volunteered to take part in the program for several years.

“It gives me the chance to flex my teaching muscle and to really try to help make a difference for these kids,” she said.