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.