Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year Jennifer Allen, left, and runner-up Sandy Maxted were presented with their awards by Kentucky first lady Jane Beshear Nov. 9, 2010. Photo by Brian C. Moore
The Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy® recently honored two teachers who have done an exceptional job of teaching financial literacy concepts to their students.
The 2010 winner is Jennifer Allen, business teacher at Madison Southern High School in Berea, and runner-up is Sandy Maxted, business teacher at Assumption High School in Louisville. First Lady Jane Beshear presented the inaugural Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year award on behalf of Kentucky Jump$tart.
“I applaud Jennifer Allen and Sandy Maxted for achieving these impressive honors,” said Mrs. Beshear. “As a former teacher, I can attest to the commitment and hard work that goes into the job. Congratulations to these fine educators for their dedication to emphasizing financial literacy to students.”
Allen, of Berea, was nominated by another educator who praised her ability to make instruction relevant to the individual student. She uses a variety of strategies to teach financial literacy, including classroom lessons, FBLA activities, the School Bank and the School Store. She received $250 from Kentucky Jump$tart to use for financial literacy instruction.
“Instant gratification has become the American way of life. We’ve lost our need to save,” said Allen. “I feel that I have an obligation to try and educate our future – literally these students are our future.”
Maxted, of Louisville, was nominated by another educator who noted that personal finance is Maxted’s passion. The selection committee was impressed with her commitment to the importance of teaching personal finance, especially her quest to make it a graduation requirement the all-girls school in Louisville. She uses a variety of methods to incorporate personal finance in her lessons, including hands-on activities, guest speakers and computer simulations. As runner-up she received $225 for financial literacy instruction thanks to a generous match by the Kentucky Society of CPAs, a Kentucky Jump$tart partner.
“I want my students to be strong, independent young women who are able to make good financial decisions on their own without having to rely on anyone else,” said Maxted. “They’re learning things they’re definitely going to use.”
This marks the first year of the Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year award. The award is open to teachers in grades K-12 who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to teaching financial literacy topics and motivating students to learn about personal finance.
“The selection committee was impressed with the quality work of all the nominees, and we faced a very difficult decision,” said Kentucky Jump$tart President Kelly May. “These educators have imparted valuable information that will help students succeed throughout life, and we are pleased to reward that effort.”
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