Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards
Congratulations 2026 Maryland Financial Education and Capability Award Winners
Community Champion Award: Lacy Allen, Financial Health and Digital Engagement Manager of Interfaith Housing Alliance
Recognized for demonstrating outstanding leadership managing the Credit Cafe Workshop since 2017, equipping participants with both foundational credit knowledge and individualized guidance through virtual one-on-one credit report reviews, allowing community members to participate without barriers and helping strengthen their financial stability.
Outstanding Organization Award: University of Maryland Extension – Jesse Ketterman (Main), Dorothy Nuckols, Carrie Sorenson, Troy Anderson, Crystal Terhune
Recognized for delivering statewide financial education programs reaching thousands of Marylanders through targeted training on topics like credit, student debt, fraud prevention, and early career financial decision-making, equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and build long-term stability.
Elementary School Teacher or Program: Emma McClary, Andrea Speaks, MCPS Elementary Social Studies Team, Elementary Instructional Specialists with Montgomery County Public Schools, Division of Teaching & Learning, Curriculum Development
Recognized for developing and implementing a district-wide Grade 3 financial literacy curriculum that introduces students to real-world financial decision-making, entrepreneurship, and goal-setting, empowering students to see themselves as capable decision-makers.
Middle School Teacher or Program: Ed Keeler, 8th Grade History Teacher at Easton Middle School
Recognized for his longstanding commitment to teaching students the value of investing and long-term financial decision-making through hands-on experiences like the Stock Market Game, investing his time in helping troubled students see possibilities beyond immediate gratification and connect financial concepts to their own lives and interests.
High School Teacher or Program: Stephen Metzger, Business Technology at Arundel High School
Recognized for creating dynamic, hands-on financial literacy experiences that extend beyond the classroom and empower students to apply real-world money management skills. As the founder of the Millionaire’s Club, engaging 40 to 80 students weekly, he has mentored student-led investment teams to exceptional success, including two statewide Stock Market Game championships and a regional championship.
Sheldon K. Caplis Corporate Partnership Award: Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union
Recognized for its commitment to expanding free, accessible financial education throughout the community by offering on-site classes, lunch-and-learns, and customized workshops at workplaces and community organizations, bringing financial education directly into community spaces at no cost.
Nominations for the 2027 Awards will open in Fall 2026, so please check back then for more information. Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Elementary School Teacher or Program
- Middle School Teacher or Program
- High School Teacher or Program
- Community Champion Award (Individual Educator)
- Outstanding Organization Award
- Each award winner will receive a certificate and $1,000 cash reward that was raised through private funding.
2026 Nominations Are Open!
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Elementary School Teacher or Program
- Middle School Teacher or Program
- High School Teacher or Program
- Community Champion Award (Individual Educator)
- Outstanding Organization Award
Each award winner will receive a certificate and $1,000 cash reward that was raised through private funding.
Timeline for Awards
- Applications must be received by January 31, 2026 (late applications will not be accepted).
- Awards announced: February 2026.
- In Person Award Ceremony in Annapolis with recognition in the General Assembly: mid to late March 2026 in the evening, if allowed and deemed to comply with public health protocol.
Teacher(s) or Program Awards
As part of our ongoing mission to encourage personal financial education, we are offering financial education teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels the opportunity to receive an award. These three awards are intended to recognize teachers in Maryland who exemplify excellence in financial education and who practice innovative strategies in the classroom. The nomination can be for an individual teacher or a team of teachers who are working together to provide instruction in financial education. Individuals and teams may self-nominate. Please only submit one nomination per individual or team. If more than one nomination is provided, the committee will only take into consideration the first one received. Previous winners are not eligible to apply for three years.
Three awards will be presented in this category – one for each level as follows:
- Elementary School Teacher(s) or Program
- Middle School Teacher(s) or Program
- High School Teacher(s) or Program
Minimum Qualities and Requirements – The nominee(s):
- Is currently teaching financial education as a course or integrated in instruction and taught financial education in the 2023 – 2024 school year.
- Has been a full-time teacher for at least three years. For teams, at least one member has been involved in the financial education program for at least three years.
- Offers instruction aligned with Maryland’s State Curriculum for Personal Financial Literacy Education that can be replicated by other teachers.
- Is adept at providing innovative applications of financial education that actively engage students in learning.
- Is innovative in making financial education an integral part of the school curriculum.
- Makes a substantial positive impact on the financial capability of students and teachers.
Community Champion Award (Individual Educator)
As part of our ongoing mission to encourage personal financial education, we are accepting nominations for the Community Champion Award. Eligible applicants are either staff or volunteer personnel who have supported and championed adult financial education in their communities as volunteers, members of local advisory councils or program advisory committees, and/or the broader community. This award is meant to recognize the contributions made by an individual who has championed financial education. One award will be presented to a Community Champion. Individuals may self-nominate. Previous winners are not eligible to apply for three years.
Minimum Qualities and Requirements – The nominee:
- Is currently engaged in promoting and supporting adult financial education at the local level.
- Has been involved in providing financial education for a minimum of three years and in the recent past three years.
- Is recognized for making the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, and implementation of financial education.
- Demonstrates a substantial positive impact on improving community members’ financial education.
- Provides or promotes low-cost or free fact-based financial education.
This award is meant to recognize the contributions made by an individual educator or advocate who has championed financial education above and beyond their employment or demonstrated excellence in providing financial education.
Outstanding Organization Award
As part of our ongoing mission to encourage personal financial education, we are accepting nominations for the Outstanding Organization Award. Eligible applicants are organizations which have supported and championed adult financial education in their communities. This award is meant to recognize the contributions made by an organization that has championed financial education. One award will be presented to an Outstanding Organization. Organizations may self-nominate. Previous winners are not eligible to apply for three years.
Minimum Qualities and Requirements – The nominee:
- Is currently engaged in promoting and supporting adult financial education at the local level.
- Has been involved in providing financial education for a minimum of three years and in the recent past three years.
- Is recognized for making the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, and implementation of financial education.
- Demonstrates a substantial positive impact on improving community members’ financial education.
- Provides or promotes low-cost or free fact-based financial education.
This award is meant to recognize the contributions made by an organization that has championed financial education above and beyond their regular programming or demonstrated excellence in providing financial education.
For more information click here.
For a flyer on the Awards program, click here.
