COLUMBIA — South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has recognized Andrea McKnight of H.E. Corley Elementary School as the December Educator of the Month for the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program. The initiative, established by Treasurer Loftis, aims to expand the number of K-12 educators teaching personal finance across the state.
“Helping our youngest students learn the basics of money — from needs versus wants to the importance of saving — these are vital building blocks they will use throughout their life,” Treasurer Loftis said. “I congratulate long-time educator Andrea McKnight of Irmo for her commitment to sharing these important lessons in her classroom. And I remain grateful for all the master teachers who have taken the challenge to boost their knowledge and skills to better equip their students with financial literacy.”
The South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program provides incentives and specialized training to K-12 teachers who are experts in personal finance and eager to share this knowledge with their peers. Since 2020, the program has offered free curriculum resources and professional development to help teachers promote financial literacy in schools. The initiative is sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, in partnership with SC Economics.
“Teaching personal finance lessons to elementary students has been an incredible experience, and I believe having this knowledge early in life and continuing to build upon it is important,” McKnight said. “I am thrilled for the opportunities my own daughters are experiencing in high school and college that will enable them to be more prepared to make better financial decisions. I wish I had the chance to become financially literate at a young age like my daughters.”
McKnight has more than 23 years of teaching experience and holds a Master’s degree with additional 30 hours in Literacy. She is a National Board-certified teacher and has previously taught first and second grades before transitioning into her current role as a reading interventionist. She is married with two daughters and enjoys boating on Lake Murray, traveling, gardening, and reading in her free time.
