K-5 Growing Career Awareness
October 2025
MCDM: Elementary Targets
Each month I will share information highlighting a specific target and connecting activities to the targets.
Target 4: Family Engagement - Provide family engagement opportunities, including out-of-school activities, to support career awareness.
KickStart to Career: Supporting the Michigan Career Development Model (MCDM) Targets
KickStart to Career (KTC) is designed to empower students to prepare for, save for, and achieve a successful career. KTC directly aligns with Target 4 (Family Engagement) but supports all four required elementary targets of the MCDM.
Why KTC is Connected to Career Development:
The program establishes this connection through several key mechanisms:
Funding Future Education and Training: KTC savings are restricted to post-high school educational expenses (college, vocational training, trade certifications, professional licensing), which are essential pathways to a modern career.
Early Career Awareness: Starting in kindergarten, the program integrates career exploration and development activities into the curriculum. These activities, like "Career Zones" and "KTC Connection Activities," help students connect school to work by exploring future professions and the necessary education and training required for them.
Financial Literacy and Planning: KTC teaches students and families the vital importance of saving and financial planning, linking early financial responsibility directly to their ability to afford the necessary education for their desired career path and future prosperity.
Building Hope and Opportunity: By providing a tangible, funded savings account, the program makes the dream of post-secondary education and a successful career feel accessible and achievable for every student.
How the Accounts Grow:
Account growth is a community-wide effort achieved through contributions and incentives:
DEPOSIT DAYS: Dedicated days for students to contribute their own money in school, establishing the habit of personal saving.
Incentive Opportunities: The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) coordinates activities throughout the year. Teachers can engage students in purposeful career awareness-building activities that, upon completion, earn an incentive deposit into their KTC accounts.
To learn more about the program or about the incentive activities, click HERE!
1st Grade Register NOW!
Kickstart to Career Financial Champion Field Trip:
Students will experience a behind the scenes tour of a financial institution.
- Students will get to make an actual deposit.
- Students will receive $! to deposit into their KTC account.
- Transportation costs covered by the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
KickStart to Career Coordinator, Kari Wiersema, will be coordinating & scheduling the field trips.
- Register HERE!
2nd Grade Register NOW!
KickStart To Career Connection Project:
This activity helps students start building an awareness of careers, career zones & making connections between the world of work and classroom work through fun books.
- This can connect to ELA, Social, Studies or SEL standards.
- Upon completion students receive an incentive deposit into their KTC account.
3rd Grade Coming Soon!
Mini Medical School Registration will open in November thru December!
4th Grade NEW Lemonade Tycoon-Register NOW!!!
- Lemonade Tycoon Activity:
Students open and manage their very own virtual lemonade stand and learn manage a budget for the business. Banzai Lemonade Tycoon serves as an engaging introduction to the fundamental economic and financial principles that are integral to almost every career path, helping students develop a foundational understanding of how money works in a work-related context.
- This can connect to Michigan Standards for Financial Literacy
- Upon completion students receive an incentive deposit into their KTC account.
3rd - 5th Registration OPEN!
{MI} Code Experience:
Celebrate National Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 8–17, 2025) by bringing the {Mi}Code Experience to your 3rd–5th grade classroom! The {Mi}Code Experience pairs your classroom with a volunteer mentor — either a tech professional or a high-performing computer science/CTE student that will lead your students through a fun and interactive coding lesson.This activity is provided through a partnership with W. Mi Works.
- Activity Details
- Register HERE! Registration is through W. Mi Works
- Space is limited.
- Registration ends October 26th!
4th & 5th Grade MCC STEM Lab Field Trips - Coming Soon!
Registration will open beginning in November.
Xello Elementary is Growing in Muskegon County!
Check out: K-2nd Career Town and the 3rd-5th Xello experience.
If you interested about starting Xello Elementary in your classroom, building, or district; let's connect and I can share how districts are engaging in this work
- Schedule Meeting
- mkuck@muskegonisd.org
- 231-767-3626
