In partnership with the CASH Campaign of Maryland and the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Council on Economic Education presented the 12th annual Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards on March 10, 2025. Three public school teachers who creatively integrate financial education into their classrooms were honored, as were nonprofit organizations and community advocates. 

The award-winning teachers were:

• Elementary School Teacher Award: 

Michelle Classon, Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School in Baltimore County for hosting Financial Friday, where she engages her students and families in understanding the global economy and encourages them to research investment options.

• Middle School Teacher Award: 

Dr. Amanda Price, Northern Middle School in Calvert County for integrating financial education into her science classes and after-school programs, and encouraging students to develop elevator pitches with financial components in a competition judged by parents and staff members.

• High School Teacher Award: 

Jeeva Ashok, Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Prince George’s County for innovative teaching methods in personal finance and for helping students relate financial concepts and skills to real-life scenarios.

The Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards recognize the dedication and success of teachers, community champions and organizations who promote the importance of financial education to the lives of Marylanders. Other 2025 Maryland Financial Education and Capability Award winners were:

• Community Champion: Janet Currie, President, Greater Baltimore, Bank of America

• Outstanding Organization: Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness (MCCFW)

• Sheldon K. Caplis Award for Outstanding Corporate Partner: Misty Allen, VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast’s Beltway Region 

Awards were presented May 10 at a reception at the Maryland Inn in Annapolis. The Maryland General Assembly honored the winners that evening during their Session in the State House. Each winner received $1,000, made possible by the Woodside Foundation and the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals (MSATP). Award winners were selected by a panel of judges from dozens of nominations from around the state.

The Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals (MSATP) provides educational programs, timely resources, and advocacy on important issues. And while these benefits are intended for finance professionals, it’s also Maryland’s educators and students that benefit from MSATP’s mission.

“We believe in the importance of financial literacy and economic education, especially for students and educators,” says MSATP’s Executive Director Giavante’ Hawkins. “As an organization dedicated to empowering accounting and tax professionals, we recognize that fostering financial literacy at an early age helps build a stronger, more financially responsible future workforce and community.”

MSATP’s partnership with MCEE takes many forms throughout the year. In addition to being a financial supporter, the association connects MCEE staff to association members who can be valuable content resources. MSATP members have spoken to groups of students and educators to help them gain real-world financial insights. Every year, the association contributes to the financial prize given to the teachers who win the Maryland Financial Education and Capabilities Award, of which MCEE is a co-presenter.

Says Giavante’ Hawkins, “By supporting MCEE, we help create a financially literate population, making it easier for our members to serve clients who have a strong foundation in economic and financial concepts. MCEE equips educators with the tools they need to teach financial literacy, ensuring that the next generation understands personal finance, taxation, and economic principles. MCEE is creating long-term, systemic change that will have lasting benefits for individuals, families, and businesses.

Established in 1959, the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals coordinates a robust schedule of professional development and certification programs, networking events, and active advocacy that help its 2,000 members across Maryland—accountants, tax professionals, and financial advisors—elevate their practice and enhance their skills. Many of these members see their participation in MCEE as a way to give back to their communities.

And MCEE is grateful for their partnership and participation.

The Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is equipping educators with valuable resources to integrate Women’s History Month into economics and financial education lessons. These resources highlight the significant impact of women in business, finance, and entrepreneurship while fostering an understanding of key economic concepts. Through lesson plans, literature, and interactive activities, educators can empower students with knowledge about financial literacy and economic decision-making.

A variety of engaging materials are available on the MCEE website at https://econed.org/WomensHistoryMonth.

Through these resources, students will be introduced to  women’s contributions to the economy and financial sector. They can explore topics such as the purchasing power of women, challenges faced by women in business, and the evolving roles of women in economic leadership.

Throughout history, women have shaped economics and business despite facing systemic challenges. For example, Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S., overcame racial and gender barriers to build a thriving haircare empire that empowered Black Women economically and socially. Janet Yellen, the first female U.S. Treasury Secretary and former Chair of the Federal Reserve, has played a pivotal role in shaping economic policies, demonstrating the increasing presence of women in financial leadership. Rosalind Brewer, the former CEO of Walgreens and Starbucks’ first Black female COO, has shattered glass ceilings in corporate leadership, proving the growing influence of women in top decision-making roles. Similarly, Gita Gopinath, the first female chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund, has played a crucial role in shaping global financial policies.

These stories illustrate how women continue to drive economic change, overcome barriers, and create opportunities for future generations. By integrating these real-world examples into lesson plans and discussions, educators can inspire students to recognize and contribute to the ongoing evolution of women’s roles in finance, economics and business. 

For more information, visit https://econed.org/WomensHistoryMonth.

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. 

Learn more about MDCSS here. And teachers, be sure to catch our first collaborative event on Saturday, January 11: Teaching the 6-7th Grade Social Studies Frameworks virtual webinar. Learn more and register here.

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.

Read Julie’s article, from the recent issues of Frederick’s Child and Baltimore’s Child here.