Financial literacy isn't just a buzzword at Berclair Elementary School in Tennessee; it's a cornerstone of the curriculum, thanks to the dedicated work of school counselor Candiace Osborne. Her innovative approach to teaching students how to manage money has drawn state-level accolades - including recognition with the Tennessee Department of Treasury Challenge Coin, a prestigious honor that Osborne describes as both humbling and energizing for her ongoing mission to instill crucial life skills in her students, according to a recent article by Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Osborne's journey into the realm of financial education started in 2019, when she began using the "Vault: Understanding Money" program to equip her 4th and 5th graders with the knowledge they need to navigate complex financial decisions later in life, now Berclair has taken their commitment up a notch by partnering with Pinnacle Financial Partners to introduce the FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum for even younger learners, a clear sign that Osborne and the school are deepening their dedication to this cause which is, crucially, about paving avenues to future well-being by fostering early monetary wisdom.
Such dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by educational authorities at the state level. Osborne was appointed to the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission's first Distinguished Educator Council in 2023, further enhancing her platform to advocate for the integration of financial education across schools in Tennessee. "When I first saw the Coin, I felt appreciated and honored. It motivated me to do more for our students. I want to expose them to financial literacy as much as possible," Osborne told Memphis-Shelby County Schools, underlining her commitment and the reciprocal respect between her and the educational powers-that-be.
Osborne's core belief is foundational: start money management lessons early and the benefits will follow the children into adulthood, helping them differentiate between wants and needs, make sound saving and spending decisions, protect personal information, and avoid the traps of debt—effectively gifting them the starting point of financial stability. To that end, Osborne and the Memphis-Shelby County Schools, which she credits for their support in these endeavors, ensure that financial literacy isn't a mere subject among many but an integral part of the district's holistic approach to student success, paving the way, she hopes for her students to become successful, independent adults one day.
The true measure of Osborne's impact lies in the daily interactions and growth she observes in her students; it's the light in their eyes, the steady accumulation of knowledge, and the potential for a future informed by financial savvy that remains Osborne's greatest reward. "Seeing their faces every day and watching them grow throughout the year brings joy to my heart," she expressed in an article by Memphis-Shelby County Schools, sharing the sentiment that for those who teach, the profound joy comes not from honors or accolades, but from the privilege of shaping minds and lives, every day.
