HuckleBerry
Center for Creative Learning
Cynthia Kimura
Cynthia Kimura is a financial mentor guiding young minds towards a future of financial literacy and responsibility. With a passion for empowering students with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as an educator with 16 years teaching experience.
Her journey into the world of personal finance began during her own childhood, where she learned the value of money through hands-on experience managing her savings at an early age. This exposure sparked her interest in financial education and planted the seeds for her studies leading to her degree in Consumer Science.
She has volunteered at Dr. William Buckner's Consumer Counseling Center, where she gained valuable experience working with individuals and families navigating through the complexities of budgeting and debt.
Cynthia has gained additional financial experience through her employment as an account for Pioneer Electronics. She became a real estate investor in 2009 and currently manages rental properties for her company. Cynthia is looking forward to creating a dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to explore topics such as budgeting, saving, spending, and entrepreneurship.
By instilling financial literacy at an early age, Cynthia believes, we can empower students to make sound financial decisions, avoid debt, and achieve their short and long-term goals.
Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy and Investing 101!
AKA Money Math Magic
Ages 9-13
Teacher: Cynthia Kimura
Homework: Yes! There will be some research to do at home.
Prerequisites: Ability to add and subtract multiple numbers, learn to apply percentages to a number.
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Are you ready to make money moves and turn real-life learning into an unforgettable adventure? How much do things really cost? How do I save up enough to buy something special to me?
In this hands-on, super-engaging financial literacy series, students won’t just learn about money—they’ll live it. From managing a paycheck and building a dream life to launching a kid-powered business and investing like a Wall Street pro, each session brings financial education to life through creative simulations, smart strategies, and tons of fun!
Across three dynamic sessions—Life & Budgeting, Entrepreneurship, and Investing—students will step into adult shoes and discover how the choices they make can impact their future. Whether it’s choosing between a city apartment or a custom house, pricing a product for profit, or deciding whether to sell their stock before the market dips, kids will think critically, dream big, and build confidence with every dollar they “spend.”
Let’s build a future full of smart decisions, creative ideas, and endless possibilities!
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Fall Session - Life & Budgeting
In this fun and practical financial literacy course, students will step into the role of an independent adult managing real-life money choices. Through a simulated life experience, students will find a job, earn income, and make decisions on housing, transportation, food, insurance, and more. They'll learn how to plan, budget, and adjust their spending based on unexpected events and financial responsibilities like student loans, charitable donations, and entertainment. Students will make sure they stay within their budget.
We end this session with a project where students will be reflecting on what they’ve learned, and creating a dream board to show off their personalized lifestyle choices.
Winter Session - KidPreneurs
Ready to become a young entrepreneur? Kidpreneurs will dive into the exciting world of business ownership by creating their very own company from the ground up. Starting with a self-assessment of personal interests and skills, students will brainstorm a business idea, name their company, and design a unique logo that captures their brand.
Students will explore the basics of supply and demand, learning how to evaluate the market to decide what to sell. They'll ask key questions: Is there a need for this product or service? Is the market too crowded with similar sellers?
With a solid idea in place, students will write a simple business plan and marketing plan. They will calculate how much capital is needed to launch their business, consider where that money could come from, and set prices that will allow them to turn a profit. Then comes the fun: designing a catchy advertising campaign to attract customers and build buzz!
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The course culminates in a real-world simulation: Mock Market Day. Students will set up booths and put their business plans into action. Will their products sell out or fall flat? Will their marketing work? Customers (classmates and guests) will leave reviews, and students will reflect on their outcomes by analyzing customer feedback and sales performance.
Students have the opportunity to develop essential skills in financial literacy, critical thinking, marketing, and communication — all while empowering kids to dream big and think like real business owners.
Spring Session - Investing / Stock Market Showdown
Get ready to grow your financial brainpower! In Stock Market Showdown: Investing for Kids, students will explore the exciting world of investing — from playing it safe to taking bold risks. What kind of investor are you? Cautious and careful, or ready to go all in?
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Students will learn about the different types of investments, including stocks and cryptocurrency, and participate in a realistic stock market simulation game. They’ll “invest” mock money into a mix of well-known companies to explore both positive and negative profit scenarios.
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As they follow the market, students will track stock symbols, making smart decisions about buying, selling, or holding their investments. They'll also create line graphs to show how their stocks perform over time and analyze what influenced their investment — from news stories to company trends.
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The course emphasizes smart strategies like diversifying investments across different sectors, understanding risk vs. reward, and learning from mistakes. Students will also discuss how ethics play a role in investing — should we support companies that are cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, or socially responsible?
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Whether they end up making a mock fortune or learning from their losses, students will walk away with a solid understanding of how the stock market works, how to evaluate companies, and how to think like a smart, thoughtful investor.