Newport Teacher Named Financial Literacy Educator Of The Year

NEWPORT, RI — This year's Rhode Island Financial Literacy Educator of the Year comes from Aquidneck Island. Maria Tavarozzi is a math teacher at Rogers High School in Newport.

"I am grateful that we have dedicated teachers like Mrs. Tavarozzi in Rhode Island," General Treasurer Seth Magaziner said. "Her ongoing commitment to helping students understand personal finance give them the skills to navigate the real-world impact of financial decisions, from budgets to saving for college. It is my pleasure to honor her as Rhode Island's 2020 Financial Literacy Educator of the Year."

Magaziner surprised Tavarozzi with the announcement at a virtual math department meeting, joined by Principal Jared Vance, Newport School Committee Chair Ray Gomes and Newport School Superintendent Colleen Jermain.

"Maria is an amazing educator who truly understands and connects with her students," Vance said. "She has the innate ability to understand their thinking and connect real life practical applications to financial literacy. Students exit her class with the information in hand to make sound educated financial decisions as they move into adult life. I am thrilled that Maria is receiving this honor."

Tavarozzi was nominated for the award by Lisa Canole, who chairs the math department at Rogers High School. The annual award honors teachers who go above and beyond to teach students financial literacy, both in and out of the classroom. Previous winners include Patricia Page from East Greenwich High School, Richard Garland from North Kingstown High School, Anthony Avicolli from North Providence High and James Gemma, a fifth-grade teacher at Cranston's Rhodes Elementary.

"Maria understands the importance of financial literacy for young people," Canole said. "She helped create the Personal Finance class and has implemented an interactive curriculum, engaging students both inside the classroom and beyond."