Brian Morin

Fay A. Rotenberg School
Teaches Financial Skills at a residential treatment facility

A Real Life Run-Through
Brian teaches summer school at a residential treatment facility associated with the Robert F. Kennedy Action Corps in Chelmsford, MA. He’s developed a life simulation lesson and implemented it last summer. In it, the students practice all of the everyday situations in life that an adult goes through.

Students fill out actual job applications and participate in one-on-one simulations of job interviews. They open checking and savings accounts, apply for credit cards using photocopies of actual credit card applications, rent or purchase homes using classified ads from local newspapers, and purchase food, furniture, and other household items for their residence. They also pay monthly bills including rent, car payments, credit cards, utilities, and insurance. All of the activities that the students do are recorded in a student-made portfolio.

On to the Real Thing
Many of the students move directly on to the working world after their release from the program. Participation in the lesson allows them to make mistakes and learn from them in a safe environment..