SALT LAKE CITY – April 4, 2024 – The Utah Jump$tart Coalition, Utah Treasurer Marlo M. Oaks, and the Utah State Board of Education today announced the launch of the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame, which recognizes Utah educators and administrators who exemplify excellence in empowering Utah’s youth with financial knowledge and skills.
The nomination period for the five award categories opens today and closes on April 30, 2024. Four educators and one administrator will be recognized at a Utah Jump$tart Coalition event on June 10.
“The Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame celebrates the unsung heroes whose efforts shape the future of our youth by empowering them with critical financial knowledge and skills,” Treasurer Oaks said. “From elementary to high school, these educators and administrators have made it a priority to ensure students leave the classroom with an understanding of how money and the economy work. Though it’s not always easy to incorporate personal finance into our educational system, it is a skill every person needs as they enter adulthood.”
Utah Jump$tart Executive Director Shauna Barfuss added, “Utah Jump$tart is thrilled to formally recognize Utah’s outstanding personal finance teachers, as well as the administrators who support them in their important work. Education is not for the faint of heart. Yet, good teachers have a lasting impact on their students’ lives, especially when it comes to instilling important knowledge and skills like personal finance.”
Community-Nominated Educator Awards
- Utah Personal Finance Educator of the Year: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated excellence, dedication, and innovation in teaching personal finance. This award celebrates an educator who has gone above and beyond in the classroom to empower students with practical financial skills that extend into their daily lives and positively influence their community. This educator is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated excellence in teaching personal finance over the years. This educator has taught financial literacy for at least 10 years and is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
- Student Empowerment Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to empowering students to take control of their financial futures. This award celebrates educators who not only teach financial concepts but also mentor and support students in setting and achieving their financial goals, fostering a lifelong commitment to financial responsibility and success. This educator is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
Self-Nominated Educator Award
- Innovative Personal Finance Curriculum Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has developed and implemented an innovative and engaging financial literacy curriculum. This award recognizes creativity in teaching methods, incorporation of real-world applications, and the ability to inspire students to become financially literate. This award is self-nominated.
Community-Nominated Administrator Award
- Financial Education Champion Award: Honoring an administrator who has exemplified passion, excellence, and dedication in furthering personal finance resources in their district. This individual is nominated by an educator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
The announcement coincides with Financial Literacy Month. Learn more about the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame and submit nominations at treasurer.utah.gov/halloffame/.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Griffin, Utah Office of State Treasurer
(801) 918-1411 | bngriffin@utah.gov
Shauna Barfuss, Utah Jump$tart Coalition
(435) 757-3450 | shauna.barfuss@utahjumpstart.org
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