[Instructor Spotlight] Sally Jiao: Equipping Teens with Essential Financial Skills

In this spotlight, we introduce Sally Jiao, a dedicated instructor for our Finance and Investment Management pre-university program. With her experience and commitment, Sally is focused on providing an engaging learning experience that helps young learners develop essential personal finance skills.

Meet Sally Jiao

Sally is currently an investment analyst at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), where she works on the Public Equities team. Her role involves conducting due diligence on companies in the Consumer sector, supporting research and portfolio mandates. This hands-on experience in the finance industry gives her a unique perspective that she brings to her classes, ensuring young learners get real-world insights into how finance operates on a large scale.

Sally's passion for investment management was sparked by her love of math and economics, subjects that fascinated her throughout high school and university. She enjoys conducting in-depth research on companies to help portfolio managers develop investment theses. With this enthusiasm, she’s excited to inspire that same passion in her classrooms.

Early Start in Teaching

“Being an educator has always been and will always be a great passion of mine.”

Sally's journey into teaching began early. At just 16, she began tutoring after completing grade 12 math by the time she was in grade 9. Throughout her undergraduate years at the University of British Columbia (UBC), she served as a teaching assistant eight times in subjects including calculus, finance, and economics. In her final year, she collaborated with a UBC professor to design a finance case study. This experience, combined with her work developing a curriculum on sustainable finance for the Human and Nature Youth Club, reflects her dedication to education and her ability to connect theory with real-world applications.

A Teaching Philosophy Built on Engagement

Sally's teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive environment where learners feel empowered to take control of their learning.

“I love inspiring students to pursue their passions and to let their creativity shine. I enjoy connecting theory to reality and seek to do so through various case studies and engaging applications.”

By blending theoretical concepts with practical examples, Sally fosters an interactive learning experience. Whether through class discussions, Kahoot quizzes, or interactive exercises, she ensures her learners remain actively engaged and involved throughout the process.

Making Finance Fun and Accessible

Sally believes that personal finance is an essential skill for young learners, as it directly shapes their future financial well-being. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how to manage savings, debt, and investments early on. A standout moment in her class occurred when her learners discovered the long-term power of compound interest.

“Many students were surprised by the value of compound interest in savings and in investments when I pulled up a growth calculator during class.”

This interactive lesson inspired some learners to start planning for contributions to their TFSAs when they turn 18, showcasing the lasting impact of Sally's teachings.

Advice for Future Finance Professionals

For learners interested in finance, Sally’s advice is clear:

“Join extracurriculars and case competitions focused on equity research! Finance is incredibly dynamic, and it’s important to apply theory to real-world situations.”

She believes that hands-on experience is key for learners to prepare for a successful career in the field.

If your child is ready to explore exciting and fast-growing fields like finance, our youth program is the perfect starting point and will be available again in Spring and Summer 2025. Our programs offer courses in tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation, giving your child the chance to learn from experienced professionals like Sally Jiao, while gaining hands-on experience and skills that will benefit their future.