State Treasurer Curtis Loftis Recognizes Kristy Horton of Heath Springs Elementary as Educator of the Month

Ms. Kristy Horton of Heath Springs Elementary, September Educator of the Month

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has recognized Lancaster County School Districts’ Kristy Horton of Heath Springs Elementary as the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program’s Educator of the Month for September.

“By teaching them to manage their money effectively, we are showing our young people how to achieve a lifetime of financial health,” said State Treasurer Curtis Loftis. “As the new school year begins, I am grateful that educators like Kristy Horton are helping students learn personal finance information and consumer behaviors that can positively change their lives.”

Horton is a native of South Carolina and holds both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Elementary Education degree from the University of South Carolina. In her 16 years at Heath Springs Elementary, she has taught second through fifth grade and currently serves as a math enrichment specialist. Outside of school, Horton enjoys supporting the Gamecocks at various sporting events, as well as spending time on Lake Wateree with family and friends.

“I wanted to become a Financial Literacy Master Teacher because I didn’t receive these skills in school,” says Horton. “We were never taught anything about budgeting, saving money or the effect your credit can have on you both now and in the future. I want my students to be knowledgeable in these areas so that they will be better equipped with the financial knowledge that so many lack today.”

The South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program provides incentives to K-12 teachers who are experts in the area of financial literacy and have a desire to teach professional development workshops to other educators in their schools and districts. Through the program participating teachers have access to specialized training and financial literacy curriculum resources that better enable them to promote financial literacy education in K-12 schools.

Sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, and in partnership with SC Economics, this statewide financial literacy initiative aims to increase teacher support and involvement in incorporating personal finance education into the curriculum.

About Future Scholar
Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, is administered through the State Treasurer’s Office. For more information, visit FutureScholar.com or follow @SCStateTreasurer on Facebook. Future Scholar is self-supported and does not receive taxpayer funding.