People Helping People: Class Act FCU's Educational Mission with the Academies of Louisville
Tom Anonson
At Doss, Southern, and Jeffersontown High Schools, students aren't just learning about finance—they're living it. In an unprecedented investment reshaping financial education, Class Act Federal Credit Union has opened full-service bank branches inside these three JCPS high schools. These aren't scaled-down models or simulations. Students operate actual credit union branches, handling transactions and gaining hands-on experience in the financial sector.
This innovative approach, spearheaded by Executive Vice President Tom Anonson, brings real-world banking directly to students, transforming how they learn about and interact with financial services. "It feels like a ministry," says Anonson, reflecting on the program's impact. "We're not just teaching financial literacy—we're living it alongside these students every day." Having partnered with JCPS since 2011, Class Act FCU remains an exemplary partner to the Academies of Louisville, investing in the education and future of students.
A Legacy of Educational Partnership
Since its founding by JCPS teachers in 1954, Class Act Federal Credit Union has been deeply rooted in education. Their current partnership with the Academies of Louisville, however, takes this commitment to new heights. It's a shining example of how business and education can work together to prepare students for future success.
Tom Anonson's journey to establish in-school credit union branches began with a visit to VyStar Credit Union in Jacksonville, Florida. Inspired by VyStar's full-service branch model in schools, Tom saw an opportunity to transform financial education at JCPS.
Class Act FCU Branch at Doss High School
Upon returning from Florida, Tom was equipped with binders full of policies and a vision for implementing a similar program in Louisville. He chose Doss High School as the site for Class Act's first in-school branch.
In 2011, Class Act opened a full teller system at Doss High School. Initially located in a back room with no public access, the branch was later moved to a forward-facing room with outside access under Dr. Marty Pollio's leadership as principal. This move significantly increased student and staff engagement with the branch.
Tom developed an intensive two-week summer training program for student workers. Despite some students facing long commutes, they persevered, learning policies, procedures, and banking operations. As Tom proudly noted, "After the training, they were as knowledgeable as any of my employees."
This pioneering effort at Doss laid the groundwork for Class Act's expansion to other JCPS high schools, transforming how students learn about and interact with financial services.
“After the training, they were as knowledgeable as any of my employees.”
From Classroom to Career
Walk into one of these school-based branches, and you'll see students in action. They're not role-playing—they're working as tellers, handling transactions, and learning the ins and outs of banking operations. During school hours, students work for course credit. After school, it becomes a paid position—a unique blend of education and employment that's opening doors for many.
Class Act's dedication to financial education extends beyond the classroom. Under Anonson's guidance, the credit union has partnered with the Kentucky Department of Education to implement a certification program offering students a nationally recognized certification in the financial services industry.
"Our board is committed to financial literacy in the community," Anonson explains. This commitment is evident in their various initiatives, including the Heroes of Education program, which has given $100,000 in grants to schools.
Fatima Avila, Branch Coordinator at Jeffersontown High School
Building a Talent Pipeline
The impact of this program is evident in the career trajectories of its graduates. Class Act hires three to five AofL graduates each year, creating a robust talent pipeline. These students often progress to roles such as Assistant Branch Managers, working in specialized departments like cards, or even becoming high school branch managers themselves.
Fatima Avila, a Southern High School alumna, exemplifies this success. She began working with Class Act at age fifteen and has since progressed to become the High School Branch Coordinator at Jeffersontown High School. Diamondique Moore and Jaden Bowman, both former high school employees, have also flourished at Class Act. Diamondique quickly became one of the top performers in Member Service, while Jaden, now a Member Relations Officer III, is pursuing a management track.
Looking to the Future
As Class Act Federal Credit Union continues to innovate and expand its presence in Louisville's schools under Anonson's leadership, its impact on students' lives and the community grows. "It is bigger than the principal, the superintendent, and me," Anonson reflects, encapsulating the far-reaching effects of Class Act's commitment to education and financial literacy.
In essence, Class Act Federal Credit Union isn't just preparing students for careers—they're shaping the future of financial literacy in Louisville and beyond. By bringing the credit union into schools, they're not just talking about their mission of "people helping people"—they're living it, one student at a time.