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May 27, 2022

27 Educators Graduate from SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program

Twenty-seven educators from across South Carolina were honored recently at the 33rd Annual Economics and Financial Literacy Awards Luncheon in West Columbia. Each completed the bronze, silver and gold certification process of the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program, an innovative multi-year program designed to increase the number of teachers incorporating personal finance education into their classrooms.

Spearheaded by State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program was launched in January 2020 to provide financial incentives, specialized training and financial literacy curriculum resources to K-12 teachers.

“I want to congratulate these passionate educators for officially completing the Master Teacher Program,” Treasurer Loftis said. “Each one brings important knowledge, life experiences and training that prepares and inspires their students. We appreciate their efforts and hope they will continue to encourage students for many years to come.”

Sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, and in partnership with SC Economics, the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program not only encourages educators to promote personal finance education in their classrooms, but also train their peers through professional development workshops to expand the number of teachers sharing financial literacy lessons across the state.

To learn more, visit the SCFLMT website: scflmt.org.

About Future Scholar
Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, is administered through the State Treasurer’s Office. For more information, visit FutureScholar.com or follow @SCStateTreasurer on Facebook. No state funds are used to market Future Scholar or the SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program.

The first graduating class of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers:

Andrea Dickey of Blythewood Academy in Richland Two
Ashley Bowers of Ashley Ridge High School in Dorchester Two
David Hymson of Anderson 5 Charter in Anderson Five
Denise Campbell-Gartrell of Johnston Edgefield Trenton Middle in Edgefield
Denise Harrel of DuBose Middle School in Dorchester Two
Desiree Smith of Alcorn Middle School in Richland One
Erika Marshall of Beaufort High School in Beaufort
Harmonica Hart of New Bridge Academy in Lexington Two
Kurt Stiglbauer of FIVE Virtual Academy in Lexington-Richland Five
Laura Reeder of Pine Grove Elementary in Richland One
Leslie Carmel-Porras of Hillcrest High School in Greenville
Lexie Centers of Gregg Middle School in Dorchester Two
Megan Hanna of Heath Springs Elementary in Lancaster County
Michelle Cummings of West Florence High School in Florence One
Monica Brisbon of Carolina Forest High School in Horry County
Pam Bruney of Kelly Mill Middle School in Richland Two
Rick Weir of Mullins High School in Marion County
Sabrina Williams of Fairfield Center High School in Fairfield
Sarah Ostergaard of Irmo High School in Lexington-Richland Five
Shannon Rister of WA Perry High School in Richland One
Stephanie Pecarro of Pleasant Knoll Middle School in Fort Mill (York 4)
Stephen Bidwell of Bridge Creek Elementary in Richland Two
Tamikah McDuffie of SCDC Manning High School in Palmetto Unified
Tammi Campbell of Airport High School in Lexington Two
William Chappell of HCS Early College High School in Horry County
Yolanda Singleton of Fairfield Career & Tech Center in Fairfield
Zachary Arms of Liberty High School in Pickens

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Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial advisor or visit futurescholar.com for a Direct Plan Program Description, which contains this and other important information about the Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan. Read it carefully before investing. You should also consider, before investing, whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

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