Michael Raymer, Executive Director on the Georgia Council of Economic Education (GCEE) and Chris Cannon, Associate Director and Chief Program Officer at GCEE, will run a mile in ten different states on July 13 to raise funds to supporting personal finance education and The Stock Market Game to 4th-12th grade students in Title I schools. A portion of the funds raised will directly benefit schools in Fayette County. 

Raymer, who previously taught at Starrs Mill High School, and Cannon, a former educator at both Sandy Creek and McIntosh High Schools, are passionate about adequately equipping students with the financial education they need for their futures. Raymer was inspired to take on this unique fundraising challenge after successfully swimming in all five Great Lakes in a single day last year. He realized that unconventional fundraising efforts- like running a mile in ten states from Maine to Maryland- can capture attention and attract support more effectively.

At the center of their efforts is The Stock Market Game, a ten-week online simulation game created by the SIFMA Foundation. Offered each fall and spring, the program gives students a hypothetical $100,000 to spend in real-time markets. The hands-on experience the game provides helps students build practical skills for long-term financial well-being. 

“The Stock Market Game in particular has a really specific touch,” said Cannon. “You’re logging in and you’re making a few clicks, and boom- you have stock in your account”.

Both Raymer and Cannon emphasized the critical importance of financial education for students who will go on to make numerous economic decisions every day in their futures. They also hope to challenge and correct common misconceptions about investing and the stock market.

For Cannon, this misconception that “the stock market is only for rich people” is particularly disheartening. “It crushes me and drives me nuts,” he said.

Raymer echoed this sentiment, identifying the misunderstanding that “it’s hard to invest” as an important one to challenge. In reality, he said,  “You could start with five dollars.”

Overall, the two former Fayette County educators hope to raise $20,000 for their cause of increasing personal finance and bringing The Stock Market Game to Title I schools. Those who would like to support their cause should visit the GCEE page connected to their fundraiser to donate. To follow their journey, updates will be posted on GCEE’s X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.