Margaret Sowers

 Cedar Crest High School
 Lebanon, PA
 Cornwall-Lebanon School District
 Dr. David Helsel, Principal
 Thomas Sherk, Superintendent

 2006 Graduate of the Governor’s Institute for Financial Education
 Sue McKenney, Teacher Mentor
 Wallingford-Swarthmore School District

Margaret had no shortage of ideas for her independent living and family and consumer sciences courses after attending the Governor’s Institute.  Time, on the other hand, was in short supply.  “I wanted to implement the changes in both courses which were to be taught in the same semester at the beginning of the new school year,” she said.  In addition to curriculum highlighted at the Institute, Margaret also utilizes the Office of Financial Education Web site, www.moneysbestfriend.com, as well as local speakers and resources from the Penn State Cooperative Extension to provide real-life learning experiences to her students. 

Although implementing the changes in time for the new school year was a challenge, Margaret says witnessing her students’ increasing confidence toward financial decision making and responsibility made it all worthwhile. 

“Margaret invests a great deal of time researching pertinent and valuable resources to help students develop healthy decision making and perceptions of money spent wisely.  From there, the community benefits because the young adults are financially responsible and successful.  The ripple not only touches the people she teaches, but also people whom she may never have met.  Countless people benefit.”