State Treasurer Curtis Loftis celebrates 26 educators in SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program

COLUMBIA, S.C.  – South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis is pleased to recognize the fifth cohort of educators who have qualified to become South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers. This year’s Bronze level cohort included 26 educations from across the state.

Launched in January 2020, this innovative program was designed to increase the number of teachers that incorporate personal finance education in their classrooms across the K-12 system. To date, more than 144 teachers have participated in the program.

“I want to congratulate these hardworking educators for achieving Bronze certification and promoting financial literacy in their classrooms this year,” Treasurer Loftis said. “The knowledge they have gained from this program is important for preparing young students for the future. We value their efforts and wish them continued success as they move through the Master Teacher Program.”

The South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program provides financial incentives to K-12 teachers who are experts in the area of financial literacy and have a desire to teach professional development workshops to other educators in their schools and districts.

It is sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, and in partnership with SC Economics. The program also offers specialized training and a curriculum that promotes financial literacy education. These tools and skills can be shared with their students.

In order to become a South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher, applicants must complete certain professional development classes, as well as create and teach professional development training for their peers. Applicants must also pass the W!SE Personal Finance Certification Test for Educators. This nationally recognized credential certifies that educators demonstrate the proficiency required to teach personal finance.

One of the benefits of the Master Teacher program is it ensures skills in financial literacy are being passed on to both students and teachers alike. To learn more, visit the SCFLMT website: scflmt.org.

About Future Scholar

Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, is administered through the State Treasurer’s Office. For more information, visit FutureScholar.com or follow @SCStateTreasurer on Facebook. No state funds are used to market Future Scholar or the SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program.

 

Fifth Cohort of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers

 

Name

School

District

Mandy Hannah

Dixie High School

Abbeville County

Anna Rhyne

North Central Elementary

Kershaw County

Chanelle Sharper

Homeschool

Richland Two

Michelle Graham

Fairfield Central High

Fairfield County

Crystal Banks

Abbeville High School

Abbeville County

Crystal Thomas

Alfred E. Rush Academy

Florence One

Debbie Sweat

Blythewood High School

Richland Two

Ghislane Nsangou

Irmo High School

Lexington Richland 5

Heather Gregory

Union County Career
& Tech Center

Union County

Jennifer Scarmack

Low Country Virtual Academy

Berkeley County

Justin Davis

L.E. Gable Middle School

Spartanburg 6

Karen Boyd

Fairfield Central High

Fairfield County

Leslie Parks

St. James High School

Horry County

Linda Dara

Cherrydale Elementary

Greenville County

Meg Gardner

North Central Elementary

Kershaw County School District

Melanie Barker

FIVE High and Middle School

Lexington Richland 5

Michael Crosby

Sangaree Middle School

Berkeley County

Nate Gilmore

Goose Creek High School

Berkeley County

Rebekah Watson

Heath Springs Elementary

Lancaster County

Sandee Oliver

St. James High School

Horry County

Sharon Fleming

Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary

Richland Two

Shonita Montford

Orangeburg County Consolidated School District

Orangeburg County

Tiffany Hutchinson

Spring Hill High School

Lexington Richland 5

Tim Ray

Kelly Mill Middle School

Richland Two

William Joy

Lucy Beckham High School

Charleston

Zerita Johnson-Thomas

St. Andrews Middle

Richland One