Eighth Grader Empowers Peers Through Financial Literacy

While most eighth graders are navigating the challenges of middle school life, Nina Mattamana is doing something extraordinary — she’s teaching a class she designed herself. This fall, Nina launched and began teaching a Middle School Skills Incubator course on financial literacy, co-led with her English teacher, Mr. Chapman.

Initially, Chapman said Mattamana was reluctant to teach the class, thinking it might be “weird” for her fellow students. Chapman encouraged her to go for it. “You’re going to be such a great model for your peers,” he said. “You have to teach it.”

The program, which runs for one trimester, gives 26 students a practical introduction to the world of money, covering topics like saving, investing, budgeting, and the power of compound interest. What makes it even more impressive is that the entire idea came from Nina herself.

“I decided to teach it because I thought it was something missing in KO’s curriculum,” Mattamana explained. “It’s also something that I wanted to learn more about myself. So over the summer, I researched as much as I could and built a course plan from scratch.” Her lesson plans wowed Chapman — all 50+ pages. “It’s exactly what I would have done,” he said. 

Her motivation came from a genuine curiosity about how money works — a topic that many adults still find daunting. But for Nina, it wasn’t enough to learn on her own; she wanted her classmates to understand it too.

Mattamana’s financial literacy class goes beyond just memorizing definitions. She designed it to be hands-on and engaging, allowing students to apply what they learn in creative ways. By the end of the trimester, her students will present “investment pitch” projects to a panel of teachers — putting their new financial knowledge to the test.

“The goal is for students to gain basic financial literacy and investing concepts,” Mattamana said. “But more importantly, I want them to learn how to take that knowledge and use it — to think critically about money, business, and the world.”

One of the lessons that sparks the most interest is compound interest, a concept that Mattamana explains with contagious enthusiasm. “If you start investing early, your money grows exponentially over time,” she said. “It’s really exciting for students to realize how time can work in your favor if you start early.”

Teaching classmates her own age could have been intimidating, but Mattamana sees it as an opportunity for growth. As she peers over her fellow students’ shoulders, Mattamana offers encouragement and advice as they work on their shark tank project. She also helps them prepare questions to ask upcoming visitors. “It’s been an amazing experience,” she said. “Having both Mr. Chapman and me in the classroom helps balance things.”

Students can see a traditional teacher, but they also have someone their age showing them that it’s possible to take initiative and lead. Still, she admits that navigating her dual role as both peer and teacher can be tricky. “Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate that I’m a teacher in the room and not just one of their classmates,” Mattamana said. “But with the support from Mr. Chapman and the engagement of my students, it’s been going really well.” How do her classmates feel about Mattaman’s teaching? “She’s great and really helpful,” one student said. “She’s nice, too. I haven’t asked for an extension, but if I did, she would probably give me one.”

After the first class, Chapman said, a seventh grader wrote a note to Mattamana which said:

“Dear Nina, Thank you so much for making this class. I had so much fun, and I can’t wait to see what you have planned next.”

Chapman and Mattamana work well together, with Chapman managing the class while she teaches it. When students have questions, Chapman said he sends them her way. “She’s very poised,” he said. When faced with a question she can’t answer right away, Mattamana models what she calls “lifelong learning.” “No teacher knows everything,” she explained. “If I don’t know something, we look it up together. That’s part of the learning process — for me and for them.” Through the process, Mattamana has discovered a new side of herself. “I realized that I’m really passionate about finance,” she said. “It’s something I definitely want to pursue in the future.”

That curiosity runs deep. Encouraged by her father, Nina started reading The Wall Street Journal to stay informed about current events. “I think it’s important to understand what’s going on in the world,” she said. At the dinner table, the Mattamana family often dives into conversations about politics and economics. “My parents want me to form my own opinions,” she explained. “They don’t just tell me what to believe — they encourage me to think for myself.”

While her parents often discuss topics like taxes, Mattamana is drawn to issues affecting her generation, such as environmental laws and sustainability. “It’s interesting to see how our perspectives differ,” she said with a smile. “It makes for great dinner conversations.”

Leadership, Mattamana believes, is not about being in charge — it’s about inspiring others. “I see myself as a motivational leader,” she said. “I try to lead by example and encourage people to do their best. That’s the kind of leader I want to be.”

KO has played a big role in helping her develop those skills. “KO gives students so many opportunities to be leaders,” she said. “You can run assemblies, start new clubs, or even create your own class — like I did. It’s a place that really encourages you to take initiative.”

Reflecting on her experience creating and teaching the course, Mattamana said it was both challenging and deeply rewarding. “It was a lot of work to put together,” she admitted. “But it was absolutely worth it in the end. I learned so much — not just about finance, but about leadership, communication, and perseverance.”

Her financial literacy course has not only filled a gap in the school’s curriculum but also inspired other students to think about creating courses of their own. Nina’s story shows that leadership can start early — and that passion, paired with initiative, can create real change in a community.

“If you see something missing, don’t wait for someone else to fix it,” Nina said. “You can make it happen.”

Whether she’s teaching a class, reading The Wall Street Journal, or competing on the squash court, Nina Mattamana embodies the best of what KO aims to nurture — curiosity, confidence, and care beyond self. Her journey reminds us that leadership doesn’t depend on age or experience, but on courage and creativity. As her financial literacy class continues, Nina hopes her peers will carry the lessons forward — not just about money, but about taking ownership of their learning and their future.“It’s not just about understanding dollars and cents,” she said. “It’s about understanding the world — and your place in it.”