Using Banzai in the Classroom: Insights from a Valued Educator

We recently caught up with Heather Bergholm, a dedicated CTE teacher from Eagle Mountain, Utah, during our Back-to-School Bootcamp. As a valued member of the Banzai Teacher Advisory Board, Heather has shared her best practices for effectively using Banzai in the classroom and offered great insights into how Banzai can enhance our program.

That’s why we were thrilled she joined our latest webinar, and shared her insights with educators who are just as eager as she is to bring Banzai into their own classrooms.

Meet Heather Bergholm

A little background on this amazing educator: She teaches Digital Literacy to both seventh and eighth graders as well as another course “College and Career Awareness,” which, as she puts it, "has a big financial literacy component." During the summer, she enjoys hiking and gardening, but once school is in session, Heather jumps in, excited to let her passion for teaching take center stage.

Watch the webinar below to learn Heather’s valuable insights for new and existing Banzai educators:

Once you’ve watched the video, click this link to fill out a survey and receive your professional development certificate.

Engaging Students in Financial Literacy with Real-Life Scenarios

Heather introduces students to financial literacy through Banzai’s Middle School Personal Finance Program, incorporating real-world financial scenarios. She begins with a pretest to assess students’ knowledge, often surprised at how little they know—but views this as an opportunity for growth. 

"There's so much learning that can happen," Heather explains. 

One of her favorite classroom moments is when students start to understand the anxiety often associated with debt during Life Scenarios. "They don't want to use their credit cards," Heather says, which sparks meaningful discussions about how debt impacts people emotionally.

What Makes Banzai Stand Out

When asked why she keeps returning to Banzai, Heather highlights the ease of use and the way it engages her students. "It’s effortless for me, and it teaches the basics I would’ve been covering anyway," she shares. Alongside Banzai, she uses other tools like online compound interest calculators and timeless videos on managing finances.

Adapting to Different Learning Levels

Teaching students with diverse financial backgrounds and learning abilities is a challenge, but Heather adapts her approach. "You just have to be flexible," she says, noting that some students may struggle with more advanced topics like double-entry accounting. By staying responsive to her students' needs, she ensures everyone can progress.

Through Banzai’s tools, Heather brings financial literacy to life, empowering her students with practical skills that benefit them for years to come.