At Stukent, our mission is to help educators help students help the world. We build innovative courseware and simulations that prepare students for professional roles. Our solutions save educators valuable prep time, are easy to implement in the classroom, and give students hands-on experience with industry concepts.
Each month, Stukent highlights a standout high school teacher who uses our products in the classroom and exemplifies our core values.
Kyle Van Ausdall is Stukent’s Teacher of the Month for October 2022!
KYLE VAN AUSDALL
Central Lee Community High School
Donnellson, Iowa
KYLE VAN AUSDALL’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
I began my business career with a corrugated box manufacturer and stayed for 17 years. Then, I returned to college for my master’s degree and teaching credentials. I’ve taught for 21 years at the school I graduated from — I spent the first nine years teaching seventh-grade science and the last 12 years teaching high school business. My absolute passion is teaching financial literacy — I saw that coming before the state of Iowa mandated teaching it. I’ve been teaching financial literacy for eight years now. I love it!
I have been fortunate to have been selected as the president-elect, president, and past president of IBEA (Iowa Business Educator’s Association). I’ve also been chosen as a recipient of the Outstanding Business Educator in Iowa. I was also selected as the Daily Democrat Teacher of the Year and the Burlington Hawkeye Teacher of the Year. I’ve also taught Driver’s Education for the past 19 years.
WHICH STUKENT COURSEWARE AND SIMULATIONS HAVE YOU USED?
Mimic Personal Finance.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH OTHER EDUCATORS?
Encourage your students to learn about money and make financial decisions before it becomes real — Mimic Personal Finance is a great vehicle to do just that! Also, help students learn as much as possible while in school, from student loan debt to credit, budgeting, investing, insurance, and so much more. This will help them tremendously when they have to spend their own money.
Don’t be afraid to try new things; let your classes help you. Tell students you need their help and to let you know what works … and what doesn’t work. Letting students know you don’t know everything and that you are human goes a long way to building rapport with them.
Lastly, have fun with your students, get to know them, learn about them, and laugh with them. Have your students share their successes and their failures. In turn, share your stories with them also.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES AND TALENTS?
I love technology. I do tech work for the district after school and during the summer. I troubleshoot tech issues and enjoy helping teachers and students resolve their problems. I enjoy doing crossword puzzles and spending time with my grandkids aged 13, 11, 6, 5, and 1.
Congratulations, Kyle! Thank you for everything you do for your students!
