Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy today recognized Art Woolf, University of Vermont Associate Professor of Economics, as the 2016 Financial Literacy Champion. The award recognizes leadership and outstanding innovation and achievement in the effort to advance the financial literacy of Vermont youth. The honor comes with a $1,000 cash award.
UVM Professor Art Woolf
“Art has been a key figure in introducing the Stock Market Game to Vermont’s K-12 grade student population,” said Vermont Jump$tart Coalition President Judy Ribolini. “Thanks to his work, thousands of Vermont students have had the opportunity to learn more about personal finance by engaging in real-life investment scenarios that teach students about how our overall economy works.”
In 1999, Woolf started the Vermont Council on Economic Education, an organization that helps teachers integrate economics into their curriculum. In 2000, he introduced Vermont to the Stock Market Game. The game is a national online program that allows students to gain a fundamental understanding of investing and foundational economic concepts. The program allows students to participate in a simulated stock market based on the actual current market. In the 2001-2002 school term, 32 schools, representing 700 students, participated in the program. The program has experienced significant growth. For the current school term, 62 schools, representing 2,983 students, are participating in the program. The majority of the students are in grades 7-12.
“I am very pleased to have been able to work with so many Vermont teachers who are playing the Stock Market Game with their students and with those teachers who have attended my economics and personal finance workshops,” said UVM Associate Professor of Economics Art Woolf. “They are helping their students understand the economic world they will live and work in for the rest of their lives. It’s heartwarming to see that more Vermont teachers and schools understand the importance of teaching economics and personal finance. This award is as much a tribute to them as it is to me.”
In his work with the Vermont Council on Economic Education, Woolf organizes and conducts teacher training in economics throughout the year. He also has supported the educational programs of the Vermont Jump$tart Coalition and has shared his economic expertise with teachers at their annual educators’ conference.
Today’s award was made as part of an annual financial literacy award ceremony sponsored by the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office. A proclamation by Gov. Peter Shumlin was presented to Vermont Jump$tart declaring April as Financial Literacy Month in Vermont. Vermont Jump$tart is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to improving the financial literacy of Vermont youth. Coalition volunteers come from business, government and education sectors. For more information on the Vermont Jump$tart Coalition, go to www.VTjumpstart.org.