Linda Fisher spent the past eight years teaching economics at Quinnipiac University. 

“I loved teaching in college,” Linda said recently in an interview. “I would tell my students I was going to be there until I was shuffling across the floor at 90 years old because I love my job and see no reason to retire.” 

She didn’t anticipate a job opportunity like the one that led her to Loomis Chaffee, where she not only teaches economics but also is the director of financial literacy in her first year at the school.   

“As director of financial literacy, I can bring the message to a greater audience and have more impact,” Linda said. “And financial literacy is so important. Most adults would say I wish I was taught about that in high school. ... This is something that touches everyone's life.” 

On Tuesday, October 3, during community time, Linda held the kickoff to a Financial Literacy pilot program, where she sought student input. For instance, she asked the students what role alumni could play. Students suggested having alumni talk to them in small gatherings, offer job shadows, or correspond with students, among other ideas.  

For seniors who were interested, Linda announced a national scholarship contest in which they could participate. She said she would give the students $200 in a simulated financial literacy fund with more details to come on how it can be “spent” or ways to increase that amount. She also is seeking to establish a student advisory board for the program.  

Linda has a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a doctorate in economics from the University of Connecticut. She taught at the college level for about 17 years in total.  

Finances, like life, is about balancing. Before the meeting, Linda played some music, one song being “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” by the Rolling Stones. 

“That’s the meaning of economics,” Linda said of the song’s title, “that we have limited resources, and we have to make choices. … You can’t always get what you want.” 

Parts of the lyrics also are: “But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find you get what you need.” 

The Financial Literacy program will aim to do just that: give students the tools they need.