Nelnet’s Dawn Knight now a Certified Educator in Personal Finance

Dawn Knight, Western Regional Director: AZ, WA, OR, ID, NV, CA, WY and ND

We all know that educating students and parents about financial literacy is a hot topic right now.  The need to lower default rates are a concern for all parties and Nelnet continues to evaluate ways we can assist you in your efforts financial literacy outreach efforts as well as provide additional resources for your default prevention efforts.  I’d like to announce another financial literacy initiative Nelnet is doing to be the best resource available to our schools and its students.

  The entire Nelnet Partner Solutions Team (your Regional Directors) is working with the Center for Financial Certifications to become a Certified Educators in Personal Finance (CEPF)®.  The first Regional Director to become a CEPF ® is Dawn Knight (WA, OR, NV, AZ, ID, ND, WY and sections of CA). 

The Certified Educator in Personal Finance® was developed to provide professional development and training to those who work with clients in a group or community setting.   This comprehensive program is designed to allow financial educators to teach individuals  the following financial wellness skills:

• establish personal budgets
•  evaluate debt loads
•  set financial goal
• develop plan of action

Certification ensures that individuals have been trained and tested in teaching skills and the elements of financial management, as well as strategies for developing and delivering effective lesson plans. Referencing National Standards and Best Practices in K-12 Personal Finance Education created by the Jump$tart Coalition and the National Standards for Adult Financial Literacy Education developed by the Institute for Financial Literacy, educators  learn what comprises a sound financial education program.

 Upon completion of the program, the CEPF® will have the essential tools needed to further their professional advancement and help clients change ineffective money management patterns.

Stay tuned as more of your regional directors complete their certification.