State Treasurer Curtis Loftis celebrates 33 educators in SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 3, 2025) – South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis is pleased to recognize the sixth cohort of educators who have qualified to become South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers. This year’s Bronze level cohort included 33 educators from across the state.
Launched in January 2020, the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers Program is designed to increase the number of educators that incorporate personal finance education in their classrooms across the K-12 system. To date, more than 177 teachers have participated in the program.
“I want to congratulate these hardworking educators for achieving Bronze certification and promoting financial literacy in their classrooms this year,” Treasurer Loftis said. “The knowledge they have gained from this program is essential to preparing young students for the future. We value their efforts and wish them continued success as they move through the Master Teacher Program.”
The South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program provides financial incentives to K-12 teachers who are experts in the area of financial literacy and have a desire to teach professional development workshops to other educators in their schools and districts.
It is sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, and in partnership with SC Economics. The program also offers specialized training and a curriculum that promotes financial literacy education. Teachers go on to share these tools and skills with their students.
In order to become a South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher, applicants must complete certain professional development classes, as well as create and teach professional development training for their peers. Applicants must also pass the W!SE Personal Finance Certification Test for Educators. This nationally recognized credential certifies that educators demonstrate the proficiency required to teach personal finance.
One highlight of the Master Teacher program is its emphasis on ensuring that financial literacy skills are passed to both students and teachers alike. 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.
Sixth Cohort of South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teachers
Name |
School |
District |
Andrea McKnight |
H.E. Corley Elementary |
Lexington Richland Five |
Anya Bryant |
Riverbank Elementary |
Lexington District 2 |
April Brownlee |
W.J. Keenan High |
Richland District One |
April Gaura |
Oak Pointe Elementary |
Lexington Richland Five |
Barbara Murphy |
Dent Middle |
Richland District Two |
Berton Griffin |
Morningside Middle |
Charleston County |
Brian Williams |
Timberland High |
Berkeley County |
Bridget Shaver |
R. B. Stall High |
Charleston County |
Carla Gourdine |
W.J. Keenan High |
Richland District One |
Courtney Cooper |
Pomaria-Garmany Elementary |
Newberry County |
Dana Watkins |
North Central Elementary |
Kershaw County |
Dowanda Bryant |
Hopkins Middle |
Richland District One |
Elliott McCarthy |
Florence Chapel Middle |
Spartanburg District 5 |
Jacqueline Yocum |
Chester County Career Center |
Chester County |
Kelly Kiser |
RD Anderson ATC |
Spartanburg District 6 |
Kristy Tilley |
Pendleton Elementary |
Anderson District 4 |
Lanna Whitener |
Catawba Trail Elementary |
Richland District Two |
LaTanya Shuler |
Catawba Trail Elementary |
Richland District Two |
Mechelle Hargrove |
Alcorn Middle |
Richland District One |
Miriam Hardy-Koverman |
Piney Woods Elementary |
Lexington Richland 5 |
Monica Candace Adams-Brown |
Heyward Career Center |
Richland District One |
Nikkina McKnight |
Rock Hill High |
York District 3 |
Oleva Irvin |
H. E. Corley Elementary |
Lexington Richland 5 |
Otisha Boyd-Robinson |
Dutch Fork High |
Lexington Richland Five |
Pam Ferrell |
Chester County Career Center |
Chester County |
Patty Boyd |
Sedgefield Middle |
Berkeley County |
Rosalind Key |
Aiken High |
Aiken County |
Samantha Gaither |
Southeast Middle |
Richland District One |
Tampla Hearrell |
Chestnut Oaks Middle |
Sumter County |
Terence Jackson |
Fairfield Central High |
Fairfield County |
Travis Phillips |
Horse Creek Academy |
Limestone Charter Assoc. |
Veronica Oglesby |
Daniel High |
Pickens County |
Wendy Langjahr |
North Central Elementary |
Kershaw County |