Catherine Schaller is an IASA, Chapter I, mathematics laboratory facilitator for students in grades four through six at Beethoven Elementary School in Chicago. To develop students' mastery of mathematical skills and applications, Mrs. Schaller has developed a number of real-life learning projects, including the Bank-at-School: Young Savers Program, an innovative money management program established in partnership with the Office of State Treasurer and a local bank. Another project, the Get Real Gift Center, is a student-run retail gift shop she developed in partnership with the Chicago Giftware Association. As facilitator of Beethoven Elementary School's School-To-Work program for seventh- and eighth-graders, Mrs. Schaller has also developed a field-based retail project that gives students the experience of managing and operating a privately-owned business in a neighboring community. Both retail projects are designed to offer an academic component in conjunction with training in business and marketing skills.
