MAFAA Early Awareness

Focus on the Future

The Focus on the Future teaching curriculum is provided free of charge for easy integration into any Minnesota fourth-sixth grade classroom through funds raised by the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA). Lessons help students make thoughtful and informed choices about their futures, increase their awareness of career opportunities and the level of education needed for various careers. Activities encourage students to keep their options open by staying in school.

Teachers: Sign up for Focus on the Future

Do Elementary Students Really Need to Plan Early for Advanced Education?

Yes! Studies have shown fourth and fifth grade to be the pivotal years when students perceive themselves as being able to pursue advanced education.

The Focus on the Future early awareness program:

Builds students’ self-esteem and promotes self-discovery
Encourages students to explore all educational opportunities
Provides information and encouragement as students learn to set attainable goals
Enables students to keep all their options open as they make informed decisions about their future
Educates students about the benefits of advanced education
Introduces concepts on how families can make higher education financially feasible

What is Focus on the Future and how does it work?

Focus on the Future starts with flexible lesson plans. Parent involvement is highly encouraged. After completion of the lesson plans, students tour a local post –secondary institution. Since the program began in 1996, Focus on the Future (originally called Look to the Future) is used throughout Minnesota.

In-class Curriculum

The classroom teacher is provided with 17 lesson plans, camera-ready art and project worksheets.

Lessons include:

Goal Setting
Self-esteem
Decision-making
Career Awareness
Advanced education awareness

The Focus on the Future curriculum is available for download in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. A notebook binder and tab dividers are provided to participating teachers who complete the elementary/middle school sign up below.

On-Campus Experience

Students take a trip to a local post-secondary institution. They tour the campus and participate in a class or other event.

Focus on the Future Teacher Testimonials

The parents are always impressed with the field trip and the questions that the students are asking of the tour guides. The kids really focus in on what the guides are majoring in and where they are from. They also ask about possible majors for subjects that they like from fifth grade.

I can’t tell you how valuable your assistance with this is. I know that with the funding cuts in education, this field trip would not be possible. We could still do the activities, but the real ending is the field trip. Your assistance, both with helping to set it up and the financial part with busing is so appreciated.

-Jane Fasching, 5th Grade Teacher, Central Elementary, Norwood Young America, MN

As you can see my students are bright and curious but lack the role models in their lives that make college seem possible. This experience has opened their eyes to higher education and now they can visualize what it might be like for them. You and your staff did an absolutely fabulous job of making the kids feel comfortable, welcome and respected.

Again, please pass on to all of the teachers and students that worked with the kids and answered questions etc. my sincere thanks for their time and willingness to engage with the kids. I have been on many field trips and things and I must say that this one was one of the best. Thank you for your attention to detail and your help. You have made a real difference in the lives of these kids.

-Tim Kaari, 4th Grade Teacher, W. Harry Davis Academy, Minneapolis

Elementary and Middle School Participants

Academia Cesar Chavez School, St. Paul
Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul
Central Elementary School, Norwood
Central Middle School, White Bear Lake
Farnsworth Elementary, St. Paul
Horace Mann Elementary, St. Paul
L’Etoile du Nord, St. Paul French Immersion, St. Paul
Lyndale Community School, Minneapolis
Laura MacArthur Elementary School, Duluth
Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, Faribault
Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, MMEP, Minneapolis
Monroe Community School, St. Paul
Museum Magnet Elementary School, St. Paul
Nay Ah Shing Middle School, Onamia, MN
North End Elementary School, St. Paul
Phalen Lake Elementary School, St. Paul
Rogers Junior High School, Rogers, MN
St. Columba, St. Paul
Sprowe Elementary School, Duluth
W. Harry Davis Academy, Minneapolis
Webster Magnet, St. Paul

Elementary/Middle School Teacher Sign Up

Focus on the Future is an early awareness teaching curriculum promoting post high school education. It is provided free of charge for easy integration into any Minnesota fourth-sixth grade classroom.

If you would like to teach the Focus on the Future curriculum in your classroom this school year, please complete the following section:

Teacher's Name:
Classroom Grade Level: (Please Choose All That Apply)		4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade
Number of Students:
Terms To Be Implemented:
Elementary/Middle School Name:
School Street Address:
City:
State:
ZIP:
School Phone Number:
School Fax Number:
Teacher's email Address: