State Treasurer Curtis Loftis has recognized Dana Watkins of North Central Elementary School as October’s Educator of the Month in the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has named Dana Watkins of Kershaw County School District’s North Central Elementary School as the Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program’s Educator of the Month for October, according to the State Treasurer’s Office.
Watkins is a resource teacher in the same district where she attended school. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and Christian counseling and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, both from Liberty University, according to the office.
She entered teaching through the Program for Alternative Certification for Educators, completing a three-year path to earn certification in Special Education Emotional Disability. She is now in her fifth year as a special education teacher, the office said.
“Mrs. Watkins’ journey back to her home district to support and mentor young learners is inspiring,” Loftis said. “Her unique background in special education and counseling allows her to meet students right where they are, helping them build the confidence and essential money skills they need to navigate life’s financial choices. I am grateful for her dedication to laying a strong financial foundation for South Carolina’s youth.”
Watkins, who lives in Camden, is the mother of five children and grandmother of four, according to the office.
“We all need to know how to use money in our lives, and I want to ensure that our children of the future are on a well-prepared path to financial stability,” Watkins said. “Teaching financial literacy helps students understand the process and what they need to know and do when handling money in general. Preparing our youth to handle finances properly is vital for local communities.”
The Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program offers incentives to K-12 teachers with expertise in financial literacy who lead professional development workshops for other educators, according to the State Treasurer’s Office. Participating teachers receive specialized training and curriculum resources to promote financial literacy education.
The statewide initiative is sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, in partnership with SC Economics. Future Scholar is administered through the State Treasurer’s Office and does not receive taxpayer funding, according to the office.
Based on a release from S.C. State Treasurer.
