Dozens of educators, school leaders, elected officials and partners gathered Oct. 25 at Towson University’s Auburn House to celebrate the Maryland Council on Economic Education’s 70th anniversary.

The organization works with educators to ensure Maryland’s K-12 students are able to access engaging personal finance and economics education. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and drink, engaging conversation and the inspiring perspectives from leaders and community members on why this kind of learning is so important for young people, their futures and the economy as a whole.

Click here to see photos

The support of MCEE’s partners makes our support of Maryland’s educators and students possible.This month, we’re highlighting Educational Systems Federal Credit Union.

The fit between Educational Systems Federal Credit Union and MCEE couldn’t be better. Educational Systems Federal Credit Union was formed by educators in 1955 and proudly serves teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and students. In fact, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union’s first loan was made to a teacher who needed to buy a car to get to work. This shared commitment to supporting educators aligns our work and enhances our meaningful partnership.

Said Dominic Powell, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union Vice President, Business Development and Partnerships, “in working with the Maryland Council on Economic Education, we can provide financial literacy that meets Maryland’s standards across the state.”

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union’s sponsorship helps more schools and students access MCEE programs such as the Stock Market Game and the Personal Finance Challenge. “Our top priority is the financial well-being of the education community,” explained Powell. “By leveraging these programs in the classroom, students learn real life skills that will support them as they prepare for their life after high school.”

This partnership expands all the way into the classroom. Through MCEE, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union participates in panel discussions, class presentations, and speaker series that reinforce the personal finance and economics concepts students are learning. They also partner with MCEE in providing helpful books and resources for classrooms.

Said Powell, “we are proud to be a long-standing partner of the Maryland Council on Economic Education. We look forward to a continued partnership!”

A huge thanks to Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for the ongoing support.

Every month, MCEE highlights partners and sponsors who help make our work possible. This month, we’re highlighting a steadfast partner Towson University. 

Here is how Dr. Judy Harris, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Towson explains the value of our partnership, how our work aligns with their mission, and how together, we’re benefiting Maryland’s students. 

For more than 50 years, Towson University has proudly partnered with the Maryland Council on Economic Education, supporting its work in delivering high quality education focused on personal finance and economics to thousands of Maryland K-12 students and educators. It’s a part of TU’s collaborative work to leverage partnerships that increase learning opportunities, spur development, and identify creative solutions for students and communities.  

MCEE’s mission aligns perfectly with TU’s philosophy of leadership for the public good and the College of Business and Economics’ goal to partner with the community to create opportunities in and beyond the region. Every year, MCEE brings students, teachers, families, members of the business community and state leaders to the TU campus for workshops, competition events and their annual student awards program. Towson University faculty often teach MCEE workshops, courses, and serve as judges for student competitions. CBE students participate in paid internships in which they gain experience, academic credit, and connections with the business community. Over the years, thousands of school children have visited the College of Business and Economics’ finance lab to experience learning in a wall street trading floor environment, enjoy the dining hall, and envision themselves as future Towson Tigers. 

The partnership between MCEE and TU’s College of Business and Economics exemplifies how public universities and the business community can partner together to empower the next generation of citizens to improve their own well-being and the overall success of the state. 

In 1954, MCEE offered its first-ever workshop, guiding 60 Maryland educators to incorporate personal finance into their lessons with students. Like today, that work was only possible because of the support from generous community partners who cared about our mission and our communities. And like today, McCormick & Company was there in 1954 - supporting MCEE and changing education for Maryland’s children.

McCormick helped us get started; and today, in our 70th year, they generously help us continue.

The global leader in flavor operates in 27 countries with 14,000 employees, but is headquartered in Maryland, which they’ve called home for more than 130 years. As Laura Fisher, Director, Global Strategy for McCormick puts it, “McCormick has been a proud supporter of MCEE for 70 years. We believe that by working together, we can have a positive impact on people's lives in the Maryland community. McCormick is committed to doing what’s right for the communities where we live, work, and operate, and this commitment is very aligned to MCEE’s mission.”

McCormick has supported MCEE’s Stock Market Game and Personal Finance Challenge, which Ms. Fisher calls “highly engaging, hands-on experiences that are making notable impact in the lives of students across the state.” The Company’s commitment to MCEE is part of its Purpose-led Performance strategy, which features wide-ranging community efforts.

McCormick’s relationship with MCEE is empowering students to grow into thoughtful, empowered decision makers, and is empowering MCEE to offer the support they need to get there.

Learn more about McCormick’s robust community support initiatives here. 

The Maryland Council on Economic Education is pleased to announce the following changes and additions to its Board of Directors:

• Michelle Coates, a longtime MCEE Board Member, has been elected Chair of the Board. Michelle serves as the Finance Administrator & Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Anne Arundel Register Of Wills and brings thoughtful expertise to MCEE’s work. 
  

• Mark Ring, a longtime Board Member, has been elected Vice Chair of the Board. Mark is a Founding Partner and Wealth Advisory for Jacob William Advisory and, for more than five years, has leveraged his financial expertise in MCEE’s work.

• Wade Barnes, Financial Services Practice Lead at Hartman Executive Advisors, has been elected to the Board of Directors. Wade has vast experience in the financial industry, including many years at financial institutions like First Mariner Bank and Howard Bank. 

“MCEE’s work impacts thousands of Maryland students and educators a year thanks to the passion and expertise of our team members, partners, and board members,” said Julie Weaver, MCEE Executive Director. “Michelle, Wade, and Mark provide powerful perspectives and ideas to our work, and we’re so thankful to have them on our board. Through their thoughtful leadership, we look forward to making more progress in expanding access to personal finance and economics education for Maryland students.” 

More than 100 elementary, middle and high school students from 17 Maryland counties have won the statewide financial literacy and economics competitions coordinated by the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE). The winners were honored on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at a luncheon and awards ceremony attended by more than 350 students, family members, sponsors and leaders at Towson University. Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller honored the students with a keynote presentation. 

More than 20,000 students from 20 Maryland counties and Baltimore City participated in MCEE-organized competitions this school year - the highest student participation in MCEE’s annual programs in more than 12 years. 

Award winners are listed by county beginning on the next page

Awards were presented to winners in these competitions:

• Stock Market Game™ (SMG): an educational simulation that teaches about the stock                      markets, the American economic system and the global economy. Teams of students create and manage an imaginary $100,000 portfolio - striving to achieve the highest return on investment - while developing skills in math, language arts, research and critical thinking. 
• InvestWrite Essay Competition: a national writing competition that reinforces the economic concepts students learned by participating in the Stock Market Game™.   
• Maryland Personal Finance Challenge: an academic competition that provides high school teams from across the state with the opportunity to learn and demonstrate knowledge and application of personal finance concepts during a one-day academic competition. The Challenge is sponsored by M&T, WesBanco, State Farm, Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, First Financial Federal Credit Union, and Towson University
• The Maryland Economics Challenge: the only program of its kind that tests micro and                     macroeconomic principles as well as knowledge of the world economy in one-day competitions. 
• Personal Finance Poster Competition: a creative competition where students demonstrate their understanding of economic concepts. 

These competitions are coordinated by the Maryland Council on Economic Education, the nonprofit that helps make sure Maryland's children graduate high school with the economic and financial literacy knowledge and decision-making skills they need to make informed decisions as adults. In addition to student programs, MCEE offers free professional development and financial literacy education training and lesson plans for educators. Based on the campus of Towson University, MCEE supports more than 2,000 teachers each year who reach over 11,000 Maryland students.

Said Julie Weaver, MCEE Executive Director, “The winning students from these statewide competitions should be proud of this wonderful accomplishment. They have creatively illustrated their understanding of personal finance and economics concepts and are a testament to how important this kind of learning is for all children.”

Click here for the list of county winners.

Kurt is a Stephen Decatur High School teacher who was honored among 5 others as a Financial Education and Capability Awards 2023 winner.

It was his dedication to educating his young students about the importance of financial education and management that truly set him apart.

Kurt Marx stopped by Good Morning Delmarva to share more on what it was like to be recognized for his efforts as an educator and give some financial advice.

For more information on Kurt Marx watch the full interview!

https://www.wmdt.com/2023/06/emerging-leader-kurt-marx-on-good-morning-delmarva/

May 11, 2023

Good news in the news! MCEE’s work and leadership has recently been featured in BOTH the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Banner! 

The Baltimore Banner published a Commentary by MCEE Executive Director Julie Weaver with a perspective we all share: Maryland’s students need high-quality personal finance and economics education in order to successfully manage their financial lives, reach their goals, and thrive.

As Julie says in the Commentary, “Our schools teach algebra and chemistry, poetry and world history. Isn’t teaching our children about personal finance -- developing skills they’ll use every day of their lives -- just as important?” 

Find the full Community Voices Commentary here

Also, the Baltimore Sun highlighted two teachers who recently won the Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards for their work delivering personal finance education. Congratulations to Karen Yancey and Michelle Coates for being featured, and to all winners of the Financial Education and Capability Awards!

Read the Sun story here.

We hope you’ll share these articles with anyone you know who may be interested in the future of Maryland’s children. To learn more about how MCEE helps teachers deliver impactful personal finance and economics education in classes of all subjects, visit https://www.econed.org/.

(Speaking of MCEE helping teachers! Registration is open for MCEE’s 2023 Financial & Economic   Education Summit, featuring 20+ FREE sessions with new ideas for increasing engagement in classrooms by delivering personal finance-focused content that your students not only need, but are enthusiastic about learning and applying to their lives. The Summit will be June 28 at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve. Information and registration: https://www.econed.org/Summit)

Our work on behalf of students happens because of the generous support of our partners.. These partnerships yield the greatest impact when our supporters share our passion for personal finance and for learning. The APG Federal Credit Union does that - and more.

APGFCU is committed to the financial well-being of its members and communities, and, like us, that means more than services. It means knowledge and learning with financial counseling, seminars and digital tools to help members achieve their goals. APGFCU offers a robust financial wellness platform with articles, financial calculators, artificial intelligence coaches and financial education courses for all age groups, including a fun, interactive learning experience for children as young as four.

The credit union’s focus on knowledge sharing is illustrated in its support of MCEE. As Liz Monti, APGFCU’s Financial Education Director, puts it, “APGFCU is proud to partner with MCEE; working together to equip our students with the economic and financial literacy knowledge needed will help better position them to make sound financial decisions, thus improving their economic and social condition and building a strong community.”

One aspect of APGFCU’s wide-ranging partnership with MCEE is support of the The Stock Market Game™. “We know the long-term impact financial education can have, not only on the student but also on the family,” explained Monti. “This program provides teachers with an interactive and engaging resource to deliver financial education in the classroom at no cost to them. One of our proudest moments was receiving an email from a parent whose child and whole family had been impacted by their son’s participation in The Stock Market Game.”

Part of that email reads: “My son, who is currently in 7th grade at HCPS, was introduced to the stock market via the Stock Market Game™ when he was in 5th grade. By participating in this exciting, months-long activity…he and his classmates learned the importance of doing research, taking calculated risks and reaping the rewards of a well-placed investment. Soon thereafter, he asked if he could use his own money to invest in real stocks. Since then, he has added to his investment and hopes to make his money grow to help pay for college. His success has also inspired us to look into the stock market for our own investments. I am happy to report that after careful research and prayerfully choosing a handful of stocks, we have grown our investment by over 70% in just a little over a year. Thank you APCFCU!”

Thank you APGFCU, indeed! Learn more about APGFCU’s work and resources, here.