Dover High School Compass Award honoree
Michelle Grimm, left, Lewie Hindman, Cody Petitt and Brooke Grafe accept the Compass Award.
Ohio treasurer Robert Sprague announced Dover High School as the Compass Award honoree for October. The monthly recognition program commends organizations, programs and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.
Principal Brooke Grafe said, “We are honored to be recognized as an honoree of this award. Financial literacy is a skill critical in preparing our students for the world. Early learning of financial literacy has proven to be of great benefit to our students, who often cite their experience at DHS as critical for their next stage of life.”
“A strong understanding of personal finance enables Ohioans to meet their financial goals and reach their full potential,” Sprague said. “We’re proud to recognize individuals and organizations across Ohio that are making great strides to provide students with the skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.”
Dover High School offers stand-alone financial education courses and a dual-credit personal finance class while also guiding students and parents toward career pathways.
“Personal finance was the subject missing from education in previous generations, but that is igniting a passion to teach it to this generation. Teaching sound financial concepts such as investing, budgeting, having an emergency fund, limiting debt, banking, housing and taxation opens up the American dream to our students,” said Lewie Hindman, DHS financial literacy teacher.
School counselors and classroom teachers have incorporated OhioMeansJobs tools into their instruction, ensuring students understand various career options for their future. Additionally, the school hosts a Financial Aid Night to ensure parents and families understand financial-aid opportunities and the overall process.
Michelle Grimm, school counselor, said, “It is important for high school students to develop skills and gain information around financial literacy as they move toward post-secondary plans in their chosen career pathway. Whether that plan includes immediately entering the world of work, post-secondary education in skilled training, technical school or a four-year university, financial education is important as they navigate their future.”