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Press Release: Second Annual Financial Education And Capability Awards Announced By Nonprofit Maryland Cash Campaign, Maryland Council On Economic Education And The Maryland State Department Of Education

Awards highlight financial education achievements of public school teachers and Community Champions statewide

For Immediate Release

Baltimore, MD (March 17, 2015)

The nonprofit Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign, Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) are pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Financial Education and Capability Awards. Awards will be highlighted during the regular 8pm session of the Maryland General Assembly on March 30, 2015 in Annapolis.

The Financial Education and Capability Awards Program highlights the dedication and success of public school teachers and community champions 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.

 2015 Financial Education and Capability Award Winners:

  • Florence Falatko, 5th Grade Teacher, Cromwell Valley Elementary School (Baltimore County), Elementary School Teacher Award
  • Cheryl Crow, 8th Grade Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Specialist, Severna Park Middle School (Anne Arundel County), Middle School Teacher Award
  • Susan Baudoin, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Parkdale High School(Prince Georges County), High School Teacher Award
  • Steven Fennington, Vice President of Business Development, Frederick County Bank, Community Champion Award 

The Maryland CASH Campaign, Maryland Council on Economic Education and MSDE thank OneMain Financial and The Woodside Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the $1,000 financial awards. Robin McKinney, Director, Maryland CASH Campaign, stated, "Maryland CASH is proud to partner with MCEE and MSDE to offer this awards program. Maryland CASH and its partners are dedicated to expanding access to free, fact-based financial education across the state." "Maryland Council on Economic Education has promoted economic and financial education for over 60 years. The worth of the knowledge in financial education is invaluable for the future of today's students," 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. "OneMain Financial is proud to honor these creative and energetic teachers, who champion financial education along with their everyday responsibilities. These award winners went above and beyond expectations to make Financial Education a reality for their students," said Sheldon Caplis, OneMain Financial Community Relations Director.

Teaching financial literacy in our schools is one of the many ways that we're embedding important, lifelong skills across the curriculum," said Dr. Lillian Lowery, State Superintendent of Schools. "I'm proud that Maryland made financial literacy a required part of the curriculum more than four years ago. It's efforts like this one that help us raise the bar academically and prepare all students for success in life.

The Woodside Foundation again sponsored the Community Champion Award for those who have supported and championed adult financial education in their communities. "A Community Champion is someone who has made significant and large-scale impact on building financial capability skills in their community outside of the K-12 classroom," said Meg Woodside, Trustee of the Woodside Foundation. "This year's recipient has a long history of inspiring under-banked families to access basic banking and budgeting tools to build financial security as a volunteer teacher, mentor, and financial coach."

The Financial Education and Capability Awards are part of other activities designed to celebrate April as National Financial Education Month and Money Smart Week (April 18-25). Money Smart Week® is a national public awareness campaign launched by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002 to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Free, in-person financial education classes can be found by visiting www.mdcashacademy.org and click on Money Smart Week under Find a Class.

Thanks to our award sponsors!  

ABOUT THE MARYLAND CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) CAMPAIGN:

The Maryland CASH Campaign is a statewide network of organizations that promotes programs, products and policies that increase the financial security of low-to moderate-income individuals and families across Maryland. Maryland CASH advocates on behalf of these families, as well as provides financial education programs such as the Maryland CASH Academy at http://www.mdcashacademy.org/. Their partner organizations provide free tax preparation sites offering access to appropriate financial services and benefits screening.  For more information, contact Ms. Robin McKinney, Director of the Maryland CASH Campaign, at robin@mdcash.org or443-692-9422. www.mdcash.org @Maryland_CASH @MDCASHAcademy

About the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE): MCEE and their division the Maryland Coalition for Financial Literacy are spearheading the effort to eradicate both economic and financial illiteracy. MCEE's primary strategy is to work through the education system to increase the quantity and improve the quality of economic and financial instruction that is provided in Maryland's K-12 schools. For more information, contact Ms. Mary Ann Hewitt, Executive Director, atmhewitt@towson.edu or 410-704-2137. http://www.econed.org/

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.  For more information, contact William Reinhard, MSDE Media Relations, at 410-767-0486 or wreinhard@msde.state.md.us


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