Following years of hard work as President of Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA), Claudia Kirk Barto has been appointed by the City of West Palm Beach to head their Education Advisory Committee.

The mother of three children in elementary, middle and high schools in West Palm Beach, Barto has been a long-time advocate for helping the city’s public schools. As President of JA, she spearheaded many of the organization’s trademark programs including JA BizTown, which brings a fully-operating “town” into schools for students to learn real life skills in time and money management. Additionally, she has cultivated and overseen a unique mentoring program that pairs local business leaders and entrepreneurs with public school students to help teach them the valuable day-to-day skills needed to become future leaders. Overseeing the year-round organization, as well as Barto’s own personal commitment in assisting public schools, is what led to Kirk Barto’s appointment by the Mayor in 2011 and elected by the committee this summer.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this critical position,” says Kirk Barto. “Our nine-member committee is dedicated to improving the educational opportunities for our area’s youth. ”

Educating and engaging the parents in their children’s educational growth is a key to Kirk Barto’s plan for educational improvement.

“Instead of trying to get parents to come to schools, when many have multiple jobs, we would like to see engagement where school officials engage parents in a more convenient way,” she says. “The Education Advisory Committee is dedicated to supporting the schools themselves, and providing all the necessary tools needed, within the City’s ordinance, to guarantee the best educational opportunities for everyone.”

To learn more about this appointment or for information on Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast, please call (561) 242-9468.

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers that provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through twelfth grade knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JA programs are taught by volunteers in the classroom and after school in over 120 schools and organizations throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Hendry Counties. Junior Achievement programs are funded through contributions from businesses, individuals, foundations, and special event fundraisers. Visit www.juniorachievement.com for more information.