These 32 intrepid educators are putting the professional in professional development. Celebrate them with us, and see how you can earn the NGPF Distinguished Educator award, too!

The NGPF Distinguished Educator award goes to teachers who pass 6 or more NGPF Certification Courses. By engaging in these 10-hour courses (complete with Certification Exams), these teachers have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to professional development!

As of December 2022, 604 teachers have earned this distinction. Teachers, get closer to joining their ranks by completing for your next certification course today!

When a teacher accomplishes this professional development feat, they receive:

• A physical NGPF Distinguished Educator plaque* for their classroom,
• Special recognition on the NGPF website, and
• An exclusive NEW digital badge for their email & online resume!

*Plaques ship each quarter, corresponding with the NGPF Academy swag shipments. 

Other details:

• This is a lifetime award teachers can accumulate over multiple NGPF Academy years.
• Want to do even more with Certification Courses? NGPF recognizes educators who go the extra mile by completing every single Certification Course, too!
• Want to see your name among the next group of NGPF Distinguished Educators? Get started by signing up for your next Certification Course today!

Meet the Distinguished Educators (earned Cohorts 1-24, announced July 2022)

Meet the Distinguished Educators (earned Cohorts 25 and 26, announced September 2022)

Meet the Distinguished Educators (earned Cohort 27, announced November 2022)

Meet the NEW Distinguished Educators: 

Alexandra Partington from Parsippany Hills High School (NJ)

Ashley Fahey from Ronald Reagan Ib High School (WI)

Barbara Itkin from Chicopee High School (MA)

Brett Shifrin from Gould Academy (ME)

Cassandra Mosley from C. A. Gray Junior High School (GA)

Chad Wright from Grayson County Cate Center (VA)

Courtney Wynia from Case High School (WI)

Daniel Phillips from Palo Verde High School (NV)

Deborah Tyner-Tribbett from Delaware Adolescent Program (DE)

Denise Colistra from Middleburgh Jr-Sr High School (NY)

Gregory McGee from James Taylor High School (TX)

Karimah Grayson from SunEd High School of North Broward (FL)

Kelli Heavilin from Spring Lake High School (MI)

Kelli Lonsberry from Centennial High School (CO)

Kelly Young from Rock Island High School (IL)

Lynne Spear from John F Kennedy High School (CO)

Marilyn Taylor from Clements High School (TX)

Mary Violette from Maine Virtual Academy (ME)

Matthew Gainey from Franklin Academy High School (NY)

Michelle Charnick from Valley Rivers Middle School (ME)

Michelle Curran from Winman Middle School (RI)

Mikki Venekamp from MAP Financial Coaching (MD)

Roland Thibault from Learning Works (ME)

Sam Rego from Butler Traditional High School (KY)

Shawn Lamberson from Dunlap Transition Campus At Chisholm (KS)

Shianyisimi Ogede from Hillside High School (NC)

Shirley Baer, Homeschool

Stephanie Fyfe from River Springs Charter (CA)

Stephanie Rowe from Dauphin County Technical School (PA)

Tina Miller from University of South Dakota (SD)

Trish Meade from World of Money (NY)

William Smyly from Colleton County High School (SC)

About the Authors

Christian Sherrill

Former teacher, forever financial education nerd. As NGPF's Director of Growth & Advocacy, Christian is laser-focused on our mission to guarantee all students a rigorous personal finance course before crossing the high school graduation stage. Having paid down over $40k in student loans in the span of 3 years - while living in the Bay Area on an entry level teacher's salary - he's eager to help the next generation avoid financial pitfalls one semester at a time.

More posts by Christian

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.

More posts by Hannah