Awards highlight financial education achievements of Public School Teachers, Community Champions & Outstanding Organizations statewide
The nonprofits CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign of Maryland, Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) are pleased to announce the winners of the sixth annual Financial Education and Capability Awards. The Awards were highlighted during the regular 8pm session of the Maryland General Assembly on March 11, 2019 in Annapolis.
The Financial Education and Capability Awards Program highlights the dedication and success of public school teachers, community champions and outstanding organizations who deliver financial education. Financial education focuses on a range of financial management concepts and behaviors including budgeting, careers and income, credit, savings, financial decision-making, and understanding values and habits about money. The Awards were developed by the CASH Campaign of Maryland, in conjunction with the Maryland State Financial Education and Capability Commission, to call attention to the importance of financial education to the lives of Marylanders. An easy and free way for people across the state to learn to better manage their personal finances is by accessing the Maryland CASH Academy, the only online source for free, in-person financial education classes. www.mdcashacademy.org.
2019 Financial Education and Capability Award Winners:
- Elementary School Teacher Award: Daniel Zubrowski, Havre de Grace Elementary School (Harford County) – For organizing a Financial Literacy Fair using MCEE curriculum
- Middle School Teacher Award: Melanie Stuart, Middletown Middle School (Frederick County) – For Life Skills training in a “store” model using Junior Achievement materials
- High School Teacher Award: Mike Martin, Lansdowne High School (Baltimore County) – For developing the “Academy of Finance” for financially struggling students & their families
- Community Champion (Individual Educator): Ronald Jennings, CAFÉ Montgomery (Montgomery County) – For being an inspiring educator who is volunteer Chair of CAFÉ Montgomery
- Outstanding Organization: UMBC (Baltimore County) – For UMBC staff volunteers who organize the Financial Literacy & Education Committee to serve students
The CASH Campaign of Maryland, Maryland Council on Economic Education and MSDE thank OneMain Financial and the Woodside Foundation for their generous sponsorshipof the $1,000 financial awards.
Robin McKinney, Co-Founder & CEO, CASH Campaign of Maryland, stated, “Good financial decisions are vital to strengthening the economic lives of all Marylanders, from youth to older adults. We developed the Financial Education & Capability Awards to call attention to this important issue. We congratulate these award-winning teachers, community champions and outstanding organizations dedicated to helping people understand the importance of making good financial decisions for a better financial future. The CASH Campaign of Maryland is proud to partner with great organizations & legislators to make a difference in the lives of Marylanders!”
“We are thrilled to announce and support these dedicated educators as the 2019 winners. Teachers as well as the community have a significant impact on young people and we believe these winners exemplify excellence in equipping students with positive financial skills, which is essential for their successful futures,” said Mary Ann Hewitt, Executive Director of the Maryland Council on Economic Education.
OneMain Financial sponsored the Teacher Awards intended to recognize teachers in Maryland who exemplify excellence in financial education and who practice innovative strategies in the classroom.
Recognition of public school teachers is tied to the Maryland State Curriculum for Personal Financial Literacy Education, which was created under the leadership of the Maryland State Department of Education and mandated for implementation in local school systems in grades three through twelve beginning in September of 2011. The awards program places the spotlight on the outstanding work taking place in our schools and communities.
“The Financial Education and Capability Awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talented educators who impact our students,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “These honorees provide students the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions regarding their finances, and these are skills that they will use throughout their lives.”
The Woodside Foundation sponsored the Community Champion Award and the Outstanding Organization Award. “This year’s award winners have had longstanding, dedicated roles outside their jobs to build financial capability in their respective communities,” said Meg Woodside, Trustee of the Woodside Foundation. “Our Community Champion, Ron Jennings, has immersed himself in expanding the reach and impact of financial education for Montgomery County residents through his volunteer service as a financial educator, financial coach, chair of the local financial capability coalition, and roles on numerous advisory councils. Our Outstanding Organization, UMBC, has pioneered numerous financial well-being initiatives on campus through a volunteer team of faculty, staff, and students to help its young adults gain financial life skills, creating a model that we hope other campuses will replicate.”
ABOUT THE CASH (CREATING ASSETS, SAVINGS AND HOPE) CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND:
The nonprofit CASH Campaign of Maryland works with its partners across the state to promote programs, products, and policies that increase the financial security of low-to- moderate-income individuals and families across the state. Most services are available at no cost to participants including free tax preparation, financial education classes and financial coaching.
ABOUT THE MARYLAND COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION (MCEE):
For over 60 years, the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) has worked to assure that Maryland’s school children leave high school equipped with the economic and financial literacy knowledge and decision-making skills they will need to make informed, rational decisions as consumers, workers, citizens, savers, investors, and participants in the global economy. MCEE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and affiliate of the national Council For Economic Education.
ABOUT THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MSDE):
The mission of MSDE is to provide leadership, support, and accountability for effective systems of public education, library services, and rehabilitation services.
