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

Awards highlight financial education achievements of Public School Teachers, Community Champions & Outstanding Organizations statewide

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gayle V. Economos, GVE Media/PR, Cell: 443-253-8191, Email: GrkAthena@aol.com

Annapolis, Maryland (March 21, 2016)

The nonprofits 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 third annual Financial Education and Capability Awards. The Awards will be highlighted during the regular 8pm session of the Maryland General Assembly on March 28, 2016 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. New this year is the Outstanding Organization Award recognizing a specific group or organization for their financial education efforts. 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.

2016 Financial Education and Capability Award Winners:

  • Elementary School Teacher Award: Casey Keenan, Innovator using new technologies in education, Frederick County School System
  • Middle School Teacher Award: Ed Stack, Coordinator and implementer of Junior Achievement Finance Park Virtual program, Kent County Middle School
  • High School Teacher Award:Maddy Halbach, PhD, NBCT, Applications and Research Laboratory, Academy of Finance Instructor for the Howard County Public School System
  • Community Champion (Individual Educator):Madeleine Greene, Volunteer involved in financial empowerment, outreach and education for 25 years (Montgomery County)
  • Outstanding Organization:Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, Educating members and the community on the benefits of personal thrift and responsible credit management (Harford County)

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 commends Madeleine Greene and the Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union for their long-standing commitment to financial education. Their efforts have included training the first financial counselors in the state, working with active and recently returning military members, and providing education to everyone from 4-H youth to older adults.” "The Maryland Council on Economic Education is proud to recognize and support this year’s award winners as they continue to enrich the financial knowledge of Maryland students thus assuring a firm financial future for our youth," 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 has a strong interest in students learning about financial matters throughout their education. We are thrilled to recognize teachers who exemplify incorporating financial subjects into their curriculum”, said Sheldon Caplis, OneMain Financial Community Relations Director.

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. “These honorees provide wonderful examples of the ways that educators and community leaders can help children and adults build financial knowledge that will lead to better decision-making in the future," said Interim State Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith. "The Financial Education and Capability Awards spotlight strong examples of innovative learning and engagement.” 

The Woodside Foundation sponsored the Community Champion Award and the new Outstanding Organization Award.  “These two awards shine a spotlight on important efforts across the state to provide financial education and capability skills to individuals and families beyond the classroom,” said Meg Woodside, Trustee of the Woodside Foundation.  “The commitment and impact of both these winners has spanned decades, and helped military and civilian families build or regain financial security through numerous innovative community education programs and partnerships.”

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 23-30). 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.

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 or 443-692-9422. www.mdcash.org @Maryland_CASH @MDCASHAcademy

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.  For more information, contact Emily McDermott at 410-568-8814 or emcdermott@nevinspr.com.

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

Thanks to our award sponsors!  


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