Utah is once again spotlighting its standout financial education leaders with the induction of six new members into the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame, an event taking place at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi with the ceremony set to honor educators and community figures committed to bolstering the financial literacy of students across the state, according to Utah Office of State Treasurer.
The honorees have been heralded for their innovation, dedication, and their ability to translate standards into real-world applications that will echo through countless Utah households for generations, the state treasurer Marlo Oaks attested, the inductees not only set the benchmark for quality financial education but also turn what might be mundane into something that sticks with students making an impact that spans far beyond the classroom, notably, this year's Personal Finance Educator of the Year is Paula Tucker, who's managed to get her alternative-high-school students to engage deeply with the subject matter and meet impressive educational milestones.
Over the years, Utah has led the charge in personal finance instruction, being the first state to implement a standalone financial literacy course requirement for high school graduation back in 2003, a head start that has since set the stage for continued advancements in this field of education, the Class of 2008 marked the beginnings of this financial literacy journey for Utah's students.
In keeping with the evening's fervor for financial education awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Shad McCord from Northridge High School saw praise for assisting each of his students, irrespective of their circumstances, to view finance as a stepping stone to a more stable future; he boasts a track record that includes 23 top-three finishes in the Utah Treasurer's Investment Challenge which incorporated 16 first-place wins, his dedication to student empowerment is mirrored by Jennifer Clark of Morgan High School, who reinvigorated their financial literacy program, and Michelle Butler of Freedom Preparatory Academy with her innovative tech-forward financial literacy curriculum which includes utilizing AI to make sense of complex financial documents.
Furthermore, among the inductees are Cole Kelley and Kaplan Sanders, who have each made unique contributions to the realm of financial education in Utah, Kelley being commended for his statewide influence both as a former financial planner and an educator who has been able to translate intricate financial concepts into easy-to-digest social media videos, meanwhile, Sanders has been instrumental in promoting financial literacy throughout Washington County, offering mentorship and developing key community partnerships, the latter's comprehensive approach to financial education at Utah Tech University extends from curating on-campus workshops to providing financial coaching for college freshmen.
