June 3, 2025

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.

state treasurer curtis loftis

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