Donna Gavitt

Donna Gavitt Selinsgrove High School Selinsgrove, PA Selinsgrove Area School District Reed Messmore, Principal Frederick Johnson, Superintendent 2006 Graduate of the Governor’s Institute on Financial Education Wade Hunt, Teacher Mentor Central Dauphin School Distict

Donna has played an instrumental role in establishing financial education at her school. She came to the Governor’s Institute in 2006 after gaining approval to create a new personal finance course, which is now required for all Selinsgrove High School juniors. Donna reports that she had to be persistent and persuasive in her efforts in developing the new course. In light of No Child Left Behind and Pennsylvania’s PSSA tests, administrators needed solid assurance that the course would meet academic standards. Many of the ideas and concepts presented at the institute—project-based learning, authentic assessment, and core academic skills—can be found in this and other courses Donna teaches. In addition, Donna and her students are active in Junior Achievement and have taken home cash prizes in two regional competitions.

“She has been instrumental in establishing personal finance in our school. I am proud of how our required courses are meeting the needs of our students. Donna has been the prime staff member to help accomplish that goal.”