Financial Coaching With Mac

At The Emery/Weiner School, students are learning life skills that will guide them far beyond the classroom, thanks to Coach Otis McAlhany’s Foundations of Personal Finance course. This class offers something that no other class at Emery does: practical knowledge about how to be financially responsible and manage money wisely.

Coach McAlhany describes the course as essential for every student, regardless of their future career path. “This is the most influential course a student can take,” he explains. “It’s about learning to be responsible with money, to make smart financial decisions, and to build a solid foundation for the rest of their life.”

From budgeting and saving to understanding credit scores and insurance, students learn the basics of managing money in a way that prepares them for real-world financial situations. “Personal finance is 90 percent behavior,” McAlhany says. “It’s not complicated math—it’s about how you manage your choices.”

Foundations of Personal Finance analyzes long-term thinking and decision-making strategies. Students explore not just how to handle their immediate finances but how to plan for bigger goals, like saving for retirement, buying a home, and investing wisely. McAlhany emphasizes that responsible money management is crucial for building financial stability and, ultimately, wealth.

Beyond the lessons themselves, the course encourages active participation through interactive discussions and real-life scenarios. Whether they’re learning how to create a budget or managing an imaginary stock portfolio with $10,000 in play money, students constantly apply their newly acquired financial knowledge in practical settings. These hands-on activities provide students with a realistic experience, preparing them to make sophisticated financial decisions in the future.  

“I’ve learned how to be smarter financially. This class has taught me the financial principles that will help me succeed in the future,” says senior Caymus Cooper. 

In a school environment where traditional academic subjects often take center stage, Coach McAlhany’s personal finance class stands out as a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to gain financial literacy. By the end of the course, they are not only equipped with the skills to manage their own finances but also empowered to make responsible choices that will benefit them for years to come.

“This class has given me the tools to take control of my financial future,” says Cooper. “It’s not just about money—it’s about making choices that will shape the rest of my life.”