Articles by the Superintendent

The Wealth of Knowledge: Financial Education in Our Schools

Dr. Mike Ewton
April 1, 2026

I believe the old saying that money can’t buy happiness is fundamentally true. I also believe that a lack of financial knowledge makes life unnecessarily stressful for many in our consumer-oriented world. Young adults are frequently bombarded with credit card offers and high-interest financing deals that can derail their financial well-being. The ability to navigate the complexities of personal finance has never been more important. For many, early financial decisions can lead to a burdensome financial treadmill that becomes increasingly difficult to escape as they enter the workforce. Local business leaders have observed that limited financial literacy knowledge often prevents employees from thriving. Major purchasing decisions and high-interest debt often force young employees to work excessive overtime just to cover basic bills, leaving little room for the professional development or technical training needed to advance their careers.

Whitfield County Schools recognizes these challenges. Beyond academic requirements and standards, we treat economic and financial literacy as essential life skills. Our approach is built on the belief that understanding money, credit, and future planning are tools students will use every single day of their adult lives.

The foundation of effective personal finance instruction lies in teacher preparation. High School Curriculum Director, Amy Smith, emphasizes that strong instruction starts with confident teachers. Since 2019, the district has hosted 12 Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) workshops for over 200 teachers. In the workshops, teachers were provided with practical, "ready-to-use" lessons to take back to the classroom. GCEE Associate Director Chris Cannon commended Whitfield County Schools for being one of the most proactive districts in the state, often requesting the latest curriculum updates before they are even released to the public. The commitment of our teachers and curriculum team has earned the district the 2026 Program of Excellence Award from the GCEE, which will be presented later this month at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta.

Our educational strategy is not limited to a single classroom session. Every high school student in Georgia is now required to take a personal finance course to graduate. These lessons are reinforced for students through a variety of avenues, including advanced financial algebra, social studies, and career technical and agricultural education (CTAE) courses. Community partnerships also play a vital role in providing a real-world context. Programs like Junior Achievement, Believe Greater Dalton’s Project Purpose, the Life Launch Academy, and the Rising Professionals programs provide mentorship to help students understand the vital difference between being a consumer and investing in their futures. 

Financial education is about critical thinking and understanding the long-term impacts of the financial decisions we make. Economic education helps students make sense of the world by teaching them to weigh the consequences of their choices regarding money, work, and resources. By learning these concepts early, students are better equipped to manage their finances with confidence and make informed decisions that affect their long-term financial trajectory.

Amy Smith says it best. Personal finance and economic education equip students with knowledge they simply "can't afford not to have." By fostering these skills in middle and high school, students learn more than how to balance a checkbook. Their financial knowledge is setting them up for long-term personal and professional success. As these students graduate, they do so with a clearer understanding of how to manage their finances effectively, regardless of their starting income level. Money cannot buy happiness. Financial literacy, however, can provide confidence and stability that can last a lifetime.