Online Personal
Finance Institute
for California Educators
In partnership with
Teachers Learn
Personal finance content via a curated collection
of 450+ resources
Real-World
Instructional context for integration into other subjects
Classroom-Ready
Resources
Create a standalone course in personal finance
Zoom
Breakout Groups
For statewide networking, collaboration, resource sharing, and lesson planning
National Networking and Collaboration
Live Zoom Classes
4:00-5:30pm PT | Aug. 27, Oct. 15, Dec. 3
Class recordings are also available
Program Description
Part A
Aug. 24 – Oct. 16, 2026
25 Hours of Professional Development (8 Weeks)
Part A Topics:
Economic Decision-Making Skills
Money Values
Financial Goal Setting
Earning Income
Human Capital
Taxes
Budgeting
Reducing Expenses
Spending Decisions
Saving
Banking
Part B
Oct. 26 – Dec. 11, 2026
20 Hours of Professional Development (7 Weeks)
Part B Topics:
Credit
Borrowing & Debt
Bankruptcy
Scams
Identity Theft
Payday Lending
Insurance
Investing
Retirement
Paying for College
Consumer Rights & Responsibilities
Personal finance greatest hits to meet California graduation requirements—all in one place!
The overarching goal of this online Institute is to streamline teachers’ learning of personal finance content by reviewing classroom-ready curricula and resources, including lessons, videos, infographics, PPT slides, simulations, games, etc. That is, personal finance content and instructional strategies are learned simultaneously to reduce instructional preparation time. Vetted by 25 years of experience, this professionally curated, multimedia collection of 450+ resources features the greatest hits in personal finance education. Basic economic concepts and reasoning skills are used as a lens for making more informed and empowered financial decisions. Resources geared toward students in Title I schools included.
This experiential learning Institute is extremely flexible and accessible to teachers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and easily customizable for different learning formats, including cross-curricular integration across CTE subjects and standalone semester courses to meet Texas graduation requirements. Based on the National Standards for Personal Finance Education and state personal finance standards, online modules are self-paced with practical, applied, and reflective assignments that can be reused with students. Live Zoom classes feature breakout groups for statewide networking, collaboration, and planning. The culminating assignment is a shareable collection of co-created lesson plans for teaching the new personal finance semester course
Flexible completion
Flexible completion options include a statewide cohort on a set schedule or independent study at one’s own pace. Part A and Part B may be completed in any order to earn TIVA Certification, or either Part may be completed individually for professional development hours. TIVA Personal Finance Educator Certification, Certificate of Complete, and Digital Badge included.
Note
This Institute is aligned with the U.S. Personal Finance Certification Examination, equipping teachers with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources that they need to teach personal finance and prepare students to pass the exam. Exam details linked here (PDF).
Registration & Payment
Questions?
Please email Dr. Cheryl Ayers (cheryl42@vt.edu)
$450
for both Parts A & B
$225 for Part A or Part B
45 Hours of professional development
Or optional 3 hours of undergraduate or graduate university credit available