Credit union leaders from across Maryland took the stage at the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) Financial and Economic Educator Summit for a lively panel discussion on Reality Fairs – the hands-on exercises that teach students essential money management skills.

The panel, moderated by CU Foundation director Leigh Philibosian, discussed ways credit unions have partnered with their local school districts on reality fairs and financial education that help students improve their financial decision-making skills.

“The most gratifying thing for me is when I run into students years later and they tell me how much they remember learning at a fair and what an impact it had on them,” said Becky McKenzie, CEO of Wepco FCU in Bloomington, MD and chair of the Western Chapter of Credit Unions.  The Western Chapter credit unions have been partnering with Allegany County public schools for more than 10 years.

“With reality fairs, we’re really trying to challenge the kids to think differently about money,” said Kristin Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer at Cedar Point FCU in Lexington Park, MD.  “We’ve been very excited to partner with Educational Systems FCU and our local school officials to bring reality fairs to St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties for the first time this year.”

The panelists included:

• Becky McKenzie, President/CEO, Wepco FCU
• Liz Monti, Vice President, Financial Education, APG FCU
• Kristin Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer, Cedar Point FCU
• Candace Thompson, Business Development Officer, Educational Systems FCU

Hosted annually by MCEE, the Financial and Economic Educator Educators Summit, is a statewide professional development conference for K-12 educators who focus on personal finance and economics curriculum.