April 2025 Financial Literacy Challenge!

I am nominated Mrs. Back because she has dedicated so much of her time into helping us understand finance much better. But she’s not just a great teacher, but also a friend. All the kids at this school know that they can go to Mrs. Back for just about anything. Tons of kids sit in her room during lunch because it is a place where we feel safe and comfortable. Mrs. Back has prevented me from making may financial mistakes, and I do not regret taking her class at all. She answers every question I have, which is a ton, and she does it happily. She has helped tons of kids get jobs, scholarships, internships, and so much more. You can tell she truly loves what she does, and you can tell that she cares about us as more than students. There are not enough words to explain how much Mrs. Back does for her students, and ones that aren’t hers as well. I knew just about nothing before I joined her class, This year I applied for a credit card while understanding all pros and cons, and did my own taxes for the first time! I’ve learned so much from this class, and from Mrs. Back, and I can’t wait to continue to do that!

Mrs. Decker is my Personal Finance teacher, and without her I would have never been prepared for my future in not only finance but in life. Her class is truly a Life 101, because it not only teaches about taxes, budgeting, investing, insurance, jobs, and so much more, but she also teaches how we can use that to better ourselves and society as a whole. Mrs. Decker makes the activities and lessons challenging, but in a fun and productive way so that we as a student may learn how to properly manage our finances and our careers effectively so that we may grow overall. Before Personal Finance with Mrs. Decker, I thought I was well educated in the world of finance, but I was very wrong. I had no clue that things ever existed like an W-4 or an I-9, or how to invest, or things such as the difference in taxes based on where you live; not only these things, but so much more. I would have never been as prepared for my life beyond High School if it wasn’t for the effectiveness of Mrs. Decker’s financial literacy that she implements into her classroom. Please consider nominating Karen Decker for this award!

When I first walked into Mr. Soldi’s classroom, I was surprised at how he did not have textbooks, PowerPoints, or Canvas. I thought financial literacy was just about budgeting or balancing a checkbook, learned from watching videos on Canvas. I did not expect to walk out months later with a profound interest in finance, a deep understanding of investment principles, and most importantly, a sense of confidence in my ability to make wise decisions. Mr. Soldi has not only taught me the mechanics of money but has completely reshaped how I view my future. For that reason, I am nominating him as someone who has made an extraordinary impact in my life and in the lives of many others through this education.
Mr. Soldi does not just teach finance; rather, he lives it, breathes it, and communicates it in a way that feels urgent, practical, and empowering. He brings energy to topics that most students would otherwise find abstract or intimidating. Whether we were learning how to build a diversified investment portfolio or how credit scores affect our ability to make major purchases, Mr. Soldi always tied each concept back to the real world. His lessons were like preparation for life, which sets his class completely apart from the traditional setting classes.
One of the most impactful aspects of Mr. Soldi’s teaching was how he never handed us answers, but instead he gave us space to think. Instead of walking us through every step, he often just let me try things on my own, even if I did not fully know what I was doing at first. At first, that freedom felt overwhelming, but I quickly realized it was intentional. He created an environment where making mistakes was not failure, but rather part of the learning process. Whether we were building a budget, investigating the stock market, or starting a mock investment, Mr. Soldi would simply step back and let us explore. When I got stuck, he never gave me the answer outright. He would ask the right question or point me in a direction that helped me figure it out myself. Over time, that taught me to trust my instincts, solve problems independently, and approach challenges with confidence. He did not just teach me finance; he taught me the way to think.
Another powerful way Mr. Soldi shaped my understanding of financial literacy was by bringing in guest speakers who lived and breathed the subjects we were learning about. He connected us with people who had real-world experience: businessmen, financial advisors, real estate developers, CEOs, and former students who had successfully navigated financial challenges. They shared honest stories about failure, success, risk, and the lessons they learned along the way. Hearing directly from professionals gave us a perspective that no classroom lecture could replicate. It made everything feel real. Suddenly, I started feeling terms like “equity,” “diversification,” or “passive income” as strategies people actually used to build their lives. Mr. Soldi used these voices not only to inspire us but to show us that financial literacy was not some abstract concept. It was a tool we could use to shape our future, starting right now in his classroom.
Every day after school, I have seen him stay after class helping students who have been contemplating with fear of investment, schoolwork, political issues, or even life decisions. He dismantles that fear with patience, precision, and a lot of passion. He creates a safe environment where no attempt is “dumb” and every student feels encouraged to give it a try.
Thanks to Mr. Soldi, I have opened my eyes to finance, started my own investment portfolio, learned how to build a budget, and begun thinking critically about my career choices and their long-term financial implications. But even more importantly, I now carry a mindset of curiosity and caution. I have learned how to ask questions, seek reliable information, and avoid the many financial traps that young people often fall into.
Other teachers have prepared me for mere tricks to get through the exams. Mr. Soldi has prepared me for real life. While most teachers focused on delivering content, Mr. Soldi focused on transforming mindsets. He did not want us to memorize terms or follow formulas; he wanted us to understand how the world works and how we could take control of our place in it. In other classes, I was waiting for the bell, wanting to leave as soon as I could. In Mr. Soldi’s classes, I hated to hear the bell, wanting to stay after class and come visit. He challenged me to question everything, to think critically, and to take ownership of my future. He did not teach for the grade–he taught for life. That’s the difference: other teachers prepared me for school, but Mr. Soldi prepared me for the world.
His impact goes far beyond the classroom walls. Alumni and graduating students still come back to thank him for giving them the confidence on their instinct. Mr. Soldi’s reach is exponential, not because he preaches, but because he empowers. Every student who walks away from his class with new skills and stronger confidence is another person less likely to fall into financial despair and more likely to make informed, responsible decisions.
In a world where financial illiteracy can mean the difference between stability and hardship, Mr. Soldi is doing the work of a hero, quietly, consistently, and passionately, in the middle of a desert starved of financial literacy. Even though he does not seek recognition, he certainly deserves it. His dedication to financial education has shaped and will shape the futures of countless others. He is an ideal model of a teacher that possibly every teacher in the world should follow, and I can think of no one more deserving of this nomination than Mr. Soldi. Gift cards seem like miniscule gifts compared to what he has done, and he deserves much more.