2021-2022 Financial Educator of the Year Announcement

Maine Jump$tart Coalition Names 2021-2022 Financial Educator of the Year

(Augusta) – The Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is pleased to honor Caitlyn Roy from Machias with its 2021-2022 Financial Educator of the Year Award. Caitlyn, a fifth grade teacher at Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School, has been selected in recognition of her leadership and accomplishments in personal finance education.

The Maine Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year Award, established in 2012, was created to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families they serve.

Growing up in Madison, New Hampshire, Caitlyn knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was in the third grade. In 2007, Caitlyn finished the elementary program at the University of Maine in Machias.  She continued her education at Walden University, obtaining a master’s degree in mathematics and reading while teaching at Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias.                                                                 

Caitlyn’s passion for financial education began while working with a Junior Achievement Volunteer in her classroom. Her students have since been involved with the North Hall of Fame Online-Banquet for Junior Achievement in 2016, 2017, and 2021. In May of 2021, Junior Achievement featured Caitlyn as an Extraordinary Educator in Maine. Caitlyn attended the National Jump$tart Educator’s Conference in both 2018 and 2019, where her interest in and knowledge of personal finance grew. She participated in the Maine Jump$tart Personal Finance Teacher Training Cohort in 2019-2020, and she won the Glenn Nerbak Award for Excellence in teaching Social Studies in 2020.

An excerpt from Caitlyn’s nomination:

Caitlyn is an amazing teacher. I have been volunteering in her classroom (through Junior Achievement) for over 10 years, and I’ve seen firsthand her dedication to providing excellence to her students. Her personal passion is helping her students have a path to prosperity. I wish this passion for financial health could be instilled in all of Maine’s teachers as it would ensure students are getting the skills needed to manage their financial futures…I can’t think of a better teacher to be awarded financial educator of the year. – Melissa Denbow, Machias Savings Bank

As recipient of the Financial Educator of the Year Award, Caitlyn will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2021 National Jump$tart Educator’s Conference, where she can network with financial educators from across the country, continue to build her knowledge base, and further prepare herself to guide her students.

About Maine Jump$tart:
The mission of the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is to improve the financial knowledge of Maine citizens, with a special focus on pre-K through college students, including adult learners. Working collaboratively, the Coalition seeks to increase awareness and provide training and support to Maine educators while also promoting educational resources and fostering communication among agencies and individuals who provide financial education to Maine families. For more information, visit mejumpstart.org.