West Hardin Middle School (Hardin County) teacher Joy Knight has been named 2020 Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and ClassAct Federal Credit Union.

Knight teaches financial literacy. She uses interactive projects, guest speakers, video clips and other teaching techniques to appeal to students’ different learning styles, showing them how financial literacy skills have practical application.

“I improve my students’ knowledge of finance and help them develop skills needed to become successful with money,” Knight said in a news release. “I make financial topics interesting and relevant to middle school students. I use many self-evaluation activities and performance tasks. I also make students relate each concept to their own life.”

The Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year award is given to a K-12 teacher who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to teaching financial literacy topics and motivating students to learn about personal finance. The award includes $300 for classroom materials or training.

The Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the national coalition based in Washington, D.C. The Kentucky chapter’s goals include raising awareness of the importance of financial literacy, enhancing Kentucky educators’ professional development on financial literacy issues, and coordinating and promoting communication and cooperation among coalition members.