Pawtucket Educator Wins Award For Teaching Financial Literacy

PAWTUCKET, RI — Robert D'Arezzo, director of the Marketing and Management Academy at William E. Tolman Senior High School, was honored today as Rhode Island's 2021 Financial Literacy Educator of the Year.

General Treasurer Seth Magaziner made the trip to Pawtucket to present the award along with Principal C. Christopher Savastano and Superintendent Dr. Cheryl McWilliams.

"Mr. D’Arezzo is a tremendous asset to our goal of providing high quality personal finance education for all Rhode Island students," announced Magaziner. "With over a decade of experience, he has helped hundreds of students navigate the complex financial decisions they need to make when they graduate."

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Savastano said D’Arezzo takes pride in helping each and every one of his students. "On most days, Mr. D’Arezzo is the last teacher to leave the building and one of the first to arrive," Savastano said. He added that D’Arezzo "is a skilled professional with uncompromised character."

The award recognizes teachers who excel as they provide their students with the financial literacy skills they need in order to succeed as adults.

Earlier this month, Gov. Dan McKee visited Tolman to sign legislation that guarantees basic financial literacy education to all Rhode Island public school students. Tolman was singled out as a model because it already provides such education to its students.