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Goals we believe in. Furthering excellence and growth in our community. Creating educated consumers. Mission alignment.
That’s why Greenspring Advisors supported MCEE through its 2023 and 2024 Greenspring Grant programs. Since the program was launched in 2012, MCEE was among the first grantees to receive a grant in consecutive years.
One of the Greenspring Grant program’s foundational goals is to support organizations that provide financial literacy education. They consider MCEE to be “admirable and paramount to fostering a better overall community by creating informed and rational investors, and expanding access to economic and financial literacy knowledge in Maryland schools.”
MCEE aligns with Greenspring Advisors’ community relations mission “to support organizations focused on enhancing financial literacy, workforce and economic development, and entrepreneurship in the Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey areas. The directive “Love Your Neighbor” is so central to our mission we’ve made it one of our core values.”
Greenspring employees have also participated in MCEE events as subject matter experts in webinars and as competition judges.
Greenspring Advisors is an independent, fee-only firm specializing in holistic and progressive investment advisory services to retirement plan fiduciaries, foundations, and endowments, as well as comprehensive wealth management services and financial planning to private investors.
Since 2005, the firm has contributed over $2 million to nonprofit organizations and has a strategic goal to invest more than $15 million in its communities by 2036. The employee-run Greenspring Grant committee reviews and selects grant recipients.
“Greenspring is proud to continue our support of the Maryland Council on Economic Education through our 2024 Greenspring Grant Program,“ said Amir Dreams, 2024 Greenspring Grant Chairperson. “MCEE’s vision and mission of fostering financial literacy for youths in Maryland is near and dear to Greenspring’s values. We look forward to seeing the impact MCEE has on not just the youth of Maryland but for Maryland as a whole.”
As part of its recently-forged partnership with the Maryland Council for Social Studies (MDCSS), MCEE will present four workshops at MCSS’s annual conference on Saturday, March 15, 2025. MCEE is a co-sponsor of the day-long event, which will be held at Salisbury University.
The theme of the conference is Maryand’s Civil Rights Journey: Then & Now and is inspired by Governor Wes Moore's proclamation that 2024 was Maryland's Year of Civil Rights in honor of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Marylanders' contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Social studies teachers are in a unique position to honor and uplift Maryland's Civil Rights history and inspire future advocates as Civil Rights Issues continue to evolve - and to use financially-related concepts to teach those lessons.
MCEE’s workshops at the Conference include:
Elementary
Children's literature is a perfect way to teach about the civil rights movement and related economics. For example, the book Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven is a true story of little league in 1955 in segregated South Carolina. The book explores the barriers of the all-Black team and allows students to explore major league baseball today. Literature will be shared in this session along with lesson plans, activities, and resources that help explore the economics associated with the various stories.
Middle School
The journey of Indigenous people in the United States will be explored with a focus on past and present economic impact. This exploration and study will be related to Maryland state Social Studies standards that recognize multiple narratives and acknowledge the diversity and commonality of the human experience; use geography to explore the location, distribution, and impact of human activities; and analyze how individuals and societies have changed over time to make connection to the present in their communities. Participants will be provided with literature connections, activities, and lesson templates.
High School
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will present the history and impacts of redlining and blockbusting - policies that have had significant impacts on the economic lives of people of color living in major cities such as Baltimore. Participants will receive lesson plans and resources to help teach both concepts to high school students.
The new Advanced Placement (AP) African American History course has gained significant interest in Maryland high schools. In this session, the economics that are part of the teaching framework will be explored. Through primary and secondary sources, an inquiry learning experience will allow workshop participants to see how they can teach students to connect their learning to answer the question, How does economics explain the challenges and successes of Blacks after the Civil War?
Information about the conference and registration is available at https://www.mdcss.org/conference-2025
The Maryland Council for Social Studies (MDCSS) is dedicated to the promotion and support of social studies education in Maryland and the United States. MDCSS works to build a community of social studies educators in the state of Maryland, and through this network advance cultural understanding, respect for human differences, and an appreciation of diversity.
The Maryland Council on Economic Education has elected Liz Frediani to its Board of Directors. Liz is Chief of Staff and Vice President of Operations at the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA), a longtime partner and supporter of MCEE. She brings MCEE a deep understanding of personal finance and economics, as well as expertise in strategic organizational efficiency. Liz has a passion for ensuring Maryland’s young people are equipped to lead productive lives; she coordinates MBA’s financial education programs and is on the board of the National Safe Space Network.
Said Julie Weaver, MCEE Executive Director, “Liz is a fantastic addition to our Board of Directors. Her experience and knowledge will help us expand MCEE’s impact on hundreds of thousands of Maryland students and educators a year. We’re excited for the positive impact she’ll have on our organization moving forward."
Welcome, Liz!
We’re excited to announce a new partnership between MCEE and the Maryland Council of Social Studies! MCEE will collaborate with MDCSS on programs and events that help social studies educators incorporate finance and economics into their lessons.
Educators will now have access to more events throughout the year, more best-practice-based information that they can use, and dedicated learning tracks for personal finance and economics learning at MCEE’s annual Summit and MDCSS’ annual conference.
On Tuesday, October 29, dozens of people interested in financial-education joined us at the inaugural MCEE Before The Bell Breakfast. Taking place at SECU’s offices in Linthicum, Before the Bell featured national, state, and local speakers who explored the current state and future of financial education for children in Maryland. The inspiring event reminded us that there is more to do to ensure that more Maryland students access the financial education they so deeply need, and that there is strong community support for in-school experiences.
Ritta McLaughlin, Director, Investor Education Community Outreach, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s recent research on Gen Z’s attitudes and behaviors around investing. The findings suggest that many in Gen Z begin investing before the age of 18, that there is a correlation between their investing and gambling habits, and that small-amount or cryptocurrency investing is becoming increasingly popular.
Rory Murray, Principal at Providence Strategies, summarized outcomes from the recent Maryland General Assembly session and discussed the structural deficit the state is facing in the coming years. He noted that while the Moore-Miller administration has prioritized equity and ending child poverty, there is not yet consensus between the administration, the General Assembly, and MSDE about expanding financial education for youth. He suggested that community members advocate with their county boards of education for expanded access to financial education in all grade levels.
Oorja Minot, Richard Montgomery High School Student (Montgomery County) and COO of Innovate-X, spoke via video about financial education in Montgomery County. She noted that there is currently no requirement, and that course availability is inconsistent. Innovate-X is a youth-led organization empowering students through financial literacy, leading students to advocate to change the lack of this learning by promoting the importance of school-based financial education. Oorja encouraged the business community to engage with the MCPS Board of Education to support financial education opportunities.
Before the Bell was presented by MCEE in partnership with SECU. Keep an eye out for next year’s event!
Great news for teachers considering inviting students to participate in the MCEE Poster Contest - for which registration is now open!
MCEE is excited to announce that the winners of this year’s Poster Contest will have their creative entries displayed during the entire month of April (Financial Education Month) in the lobby of the Louis Goldstein Treasury Building in Annapolis - home to the Comptroller’s Office and State Treasurer’s Office! This honor is a wonderful addition to an already educationally engaging experience for students, infusing financial learning with creativity.
In addition to the display, winners, their teachers, and families will be invited to a reception on March 27 at the Treasury Building to unveil the display, honor students’ achievements, and meet elected officials and legislators. All are welcome, and the display will be open to the public all month long.
Teachers, learn more about getting your students involved in creating original posters that demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance and economics concepts by clicking here. Posters are due on March 1!
When it comes to teaching and learning personal finance and economics with young people, conversations are crucial. They give space to ask questions, explore ideas, and make connections to important concepts. In an ideal learning journey, MCEE’s work with teachers and students in classrooms is only part of the process. Supplementing MCEE’s engaging programs with conversations at home is a fantastic way to learn more, explore more, and understand more about personal finance and economics.
This month, MCEE Executive Director Julie Weaver shared tips in two family-oriented magazines for how families can turn everyday activities - in and out of the holiday season - into teachable moments, such as meal planning, shopping for gifts or encouraging entrepreneurship.
When asked about the Mid-Atlantic Security Traders Association’s (MASTA) support of MCEE, MASTA Foundation President Stan Craig puts it simply and powerfully: “We share the same mission. MCEE enhances the financial literacy of children across Maryland. It’s exactly the kind of work we do as a Foundation.”
That alignment has created an impactful, decade-long partnership that has helped thousands of students and educators access personal finance and economic learning experiences that will help them in life.
MASTA’s support can be seen in two of MCEE’s most important initiatives: the Stock Market Game - the popular simulation challenging students to manage a stock portfolio, and teacher professional development - immersive, collaborative workshops and sessions that help educators improve.
For Stan, the choice to support the Stock Market Game includes a personal connection. “I participated in the Stock Market Game in 5th grade, and both of my children have participated,” he explains. “I fondly remember the experience; it opened my eyes to trading, investing, and how to research companies. It set the foundation for what I do now. And my youngest is now exploring degrees and careers in finance.”
MASTA is committed to helping more schools and students access the Stock Market Game experience. “It’s a joy to support students in less affluent schools so they can access this program,” said Stan. “We’re happy to provide opportunities to overcome barriers to this important initiative.”
That kind of barrier-breaking commitment extends to MASTA’s own activities, including a scholarship program for area high schoolers seeking to go to college for degrees in finance, and for those who have participated in the Stock Market Game.
MASTA’s partnership with MCEE helps educators access learning experiences to improve their classroom teaching. Every year, the association sponsors a trip by Maryland educators to the National Conference of the Council on Economic Education. This past year, teachers from five counties joined us for two days of collaborative workshops and meaningful learning.
“Life does not revolve around money; but money provides access to opportunities,” says Stan. “Being financially responsible and investing for the future and retirement is one of the most important things you can teach children. As financial professionals, we’re able to offer children this guidance. And by supporting MCEE, we’re helping make sure students across the state, no matter their circumstances, can access this learning as well.”
A huge thank you to the MASTA Foundation for its ongoing support!
AACPS
August 28, 2024
When it comes to writing about investments, students – and, perhaps, adults – could learn a lot from Arnold Elementary School fifth-grader Johan Zacharia.
Johan’s essay was named national champion out of 959 entries in the elementary school division of the national InvestWrite essay competition, the culminating activity to the Stock Market Game™ program utilized in schools across the United States and organized locally by the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE). Johan’s work detailed what he learned from his experience in the Stock Market Game™, discussed which investment in his portfolio performed the best, and provided a recommendation on a future hypothetical investment.
“I feel proud to have won the InvestWrite award,” Johan said. “I learned a lot and hope to use what I learned in the future.”
Johan wrote that while his involvement in the Stock Market Game™ was challenging, he learned tactics and strategies that paid off in the end.
“My portfolio performed well because I have a mix of food, entertainment, and drinks,” Johan wrote in his essay. “I have Costco because people buy groceries every day. I have Disney, Netflix, and Spotify because people watch movies and listen to music. I purchased Pepsi because it is a beverage company and has a good market share of popular snack food.”
Spotify sparked a particular interest for Johan in February, when the Kansas City Chiefs were playing the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
“My team predicted after the Super Bowl many people would listen to Taylor Swift,” Johan wrote. “So we bought Spotify.”
For winning the competition, Johan will receive a new laptop computer, a camera, and a $50 cash prize. Teacher Amy Phillips will receive a $750 award and the school will get a trophy to display as well as funds for a student celebration during the school year.
In Maryland, the Stock Market Game™ and InvestWrite programs are managed by MCEE, a nonprofit organization based at Towson University that is focused on supporting instruction of personal finance and economics in all grade levels and content areas. MCEE provides professional development opportunities for educators, classroom resources, and classroom-based student learning engagement programs. MCEE partners with the Sifma Foundation to deliver the Stock Market Game™.
Read Johan's winning essay here.
As we close out our 70th anniversary year, we are thrilled to unveil a brand new identity:
Our new logo exemplifies our mission-driven purpose and our proven impact in preparing Maryland students to graduate high school with the financial knowledge they need to make thoughtful, rational decisions as they pursue their dreams and shape their futures.
The upward arrow in our new logo is a recognizable image for financial growth. It serves as a fitting symbol for the personal and financial success that comes from understanding and applying financial and economic concepts. The box around our acronym is a metaphor for the structure that financial education provides in that positive trajectory by lifting students, families, and communities. It also symbolizes the supportive spaces where MCEE guides students towards opportunity through its programs: schools, homes and communities.
The culmination of our 70th anniversary year celebration feels like the perfect time to enhance our identity with a mark that represents what we do, why we do it, and where we’re headed. We’re so thankful for the ongoing partnership and support we receive - in the past and in anticipation of our future!
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