Four Lexington-Richland School District Five educators have qualified to become South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers.
Launched in January 2020, this innovative program was designed to increase the number of teachers incorporating personal finance education into their classrooms across the K-12 spectrum.
Patera Eskew-Martin (Dutch Fork Elementary), Angela McGregor (Irmo High), Sarah Olenchak (Irmo Middle), and Sherry Stone (Spring Hill High) are part of the second cohort of S.C. Financial Literacy Masters Teacher made up of 27 educators. Sarah Ostergaard (Irmo High School) was selected in the first cohort of the program last year.
“We congratulate these passionate educators for their commitment to promoting financial literacy in their classrooms and achievement of Bronze certification this year,” Treasurer Loftis said. “They are helping us prepare our young people with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage their money. We appreciate their efforts and wish them continued success in the years to come.”
Sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, and in partnership with SC Economics, 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. In addition, participating teachers have access to specialized training and financial literacy curriculum resources that will better enable them to promote financial literacy education in K-12 schools.
In order to become a South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher, all applicants must complete specific 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. W!SE is a nationally recognized credential, certifying that educators demonstrate the proficiency required to teach personal finance.
Thirty-two members of the first cohort of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers also completed their Silver certification this year, with added incentives and professional development requirements.
To learn more, visit the SCFLMT website: scfmt.orgl.
