State Treasurer Curtis Loftis recognizes 20 educators in SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis is pleased to recognize the third cohort of 20 educators who 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.

“I want to congratulate these passionate educators for achieving Bronze certification and promoting financial literacy in their classrooms this year,” Treasurer Loftis said. “They play an important role in preparing 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. Participating teachers also have access to specialized training and financial literacy curriculum resources that will better enable them to promote financial literacy education in their classrooms.

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.

In addition to our Bronze participants, 17 members of the second cohort of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers completed their Silver certification this year, and 27 of the original cohort completed their Gold certification and graduated from the program in May.

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.

The Third Cohort of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers:

• Aaron Knapic of Carolina Forest High School in Horry County
• Analisa Smith of FIVE Virtual Academy in Lexington-Richland Five
• Angelia Jackson of Georgetown High School in Georgetown County
• Ashley Causey of Hillcrest High School in Greenville County
• Ashley Seats of Meadow Glen Middle in Lexington One
• Bonnie Robinson of Irmo High School in Lexington-Richland Five
• Courtney Quinters of Kelly Mill Med Pro Middle School in Richland Two
• Darron Kirkley of Central High School in Chesterfield
• Elizabeth Gumbiner of Summerville High School in Dorchester Two
• Elizabeth Magee of Project SEARCH in Lexington-Richland Five
• Erica Edwards of Low Country Virtual Consortium in Charleston County
• Kayla Eskew of Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center in Edgefield County
• Kelly Brooks of Dreher High School in Richland One
• Kristy Horton of Heath Springs Elementary in Lancaster County
• Michael Melvin of Lexington High School in Lexington One
• Samuel Stevenson of Ashley Ridge High School in Dorchester Two
• Sharon Bennett of Elloree Elementary in Orangeburg County
• Susan Nunamaker of RC Edwards Middle & Liberty Middle School in Pickens County
• Victoria Merritt of Cyber Academy of SC in Erskine Charter School District
• William Smyly of Colleton County High School in Colleton High School