Alexandria, Ky. – The Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy honors Michael Florimonte of Alexandria, Ky., as the 2015 Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year.
Florimonte was nominated by a co-worker, who noted that he motivates and engages students by helping them to make real-world connections that they can personalize into their own lives. One way he did this is by guiding students in the operation of the Camel Bank and Camel Spirit Store at Campbell County High School. Florimonte also utilized guest speakers, Individual Learning Plans, and The Stock Market Game (his team won first place in Spring 2015) to reinforce financial concepts taught in his classes and to help students make connections to their own lives.
“David has done an exceptional job of teaching financial literacy concepts to his students, and he clearly has a passion for the importance of this topic,” said Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition President Kelly May. “He brings his life experience and financial background to his lessons, which helps the students to understand how to control their own financial future.”
Florimonte became a teacher after working as an investment accountant for eight years. Seeing his wife, who also is a teacher, interact with her students inspired him to make the career change.
“I have a passion for teaching and introducing my students to financial literacy and investing,” he says. “Teaching about financial concepts is fun for me, and it is easy for them to make that personal connection between what is being taught and how they can take what they learn and apply it into their lives.”
At the time he was nominated, Florimonte was teaching marketing classes at Campbell County High School. He now serves as Assistant Principal at the high school, and he continues to be an advocate of financial literacy in that role.
The award includes a $250 grand prize that can be used for financial literacy classroom materials or professional development. Florimonte said he intends to use the award funds to benefit the students and teachers in the business department at Campbell County High School.
This is the sixth year of the Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year award. The award is open to teachers in grades K-12 who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to teaching financial literacy topics and motivating students to learn about personal finance.
Add Comment