Victoria Beasley
Digital Harbor High
Baltimore City Public Schools
For ten years, Victoria Beasley taught biology at Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City. Over that time, she enjoyed connecting with students and watching as they explored their interests and built knowledge. But in doing so, Victoria had a realization: students were missing something in their preparation: personal finance.
So Victoria did something to change that. Three years ago, with creative advocacy and support from her school and district leaders, she became a Personal Finance Teacher and created Baltimore City Public Schools’ first dedicated Personal Finance High School course! And now, she partners with MCEE to help make sure it's as impactful as possible for her students.
“Students so clearly need a class where they talk and learn about money,” says Victoria. “Many students in Baltimore City are at a disadvantage because they aren’t having these conversations at home. Without this knowledge, it’s hard to make it in the world. Students have to understand how to make smart choices with money, and how every choice can have lasting implications. I wanted to create a course that could help.”
If the class’ popularity is any indication, students see this need as well. “It’s become one of the most popular courses in the school,” explains Victoria. “Students routinely stay after school to learn more. I even have students who have graduated get back in touch to explore more questions.”
Students use hands-on activities to explore financial skills and topics like balancing a checkbook, reading a paycheck, investing, budgeting, securing credit, and banking. They write simulated checks, plan imaginary budgets for families, read credit reports, and hear from guest speakers in the financial industry. And to further supplement learning, Victoria partners with MCEE to guide students through the Stock Market Game and, for the first time this year, the Personal Finance Challenge.
She also takes advantage of MCEE’s professional development programs. “I was encouraged to attend MCEE’s Summit during the first year of this class, and I was blown away. It is the best professional development experience I’ve had in my 13 years of teaching. Now I sign up for every MCEE program I can! They’re so helpful and responsive. Everything they do is for the betterment of the students and community. They really get it.”
The school and the district have taken notice of Victoria’s work. In 2023, Victoria was voted Distinguished Educator of the Year by the students at Digital Harbor. She’s even had colleagues sit in her class to get some lessons they can apply to their own lives. And at the district level, her course is now available to all high school principals as they consider what courses to offer.
When asked about tips for fellow educators interested in teaching this content, Victoria says go for it. “Approach it as if you’re teaching your younger self these financial lessons,” she explains. “These students are like sponges. They pick it up, and their excitement about the topic is so inspiring.”
