Maria Tavarozzi, a math teacher at Rogers High School in Newport, has been named Rhode Island’s 2020 Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year by General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. The award recognizes teachers who excel in and out of the classroom by providing students with the financial literacy skills needed to navigate complex financial systems. Tavarozzi, who lives in Smithfield, has taught grades 10-12 during her 10-year tenure at the school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education at Roger Williams University and is pursuing a master’s degree in advanced studies of teaching and learning with a concentration in accounting and finance, at Rhode Island College.
What was your reaction to being named Rhode Island’s 2020 Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year? I was completely shocked. I knew when I signed on to the Zoom meeting that there were some familiar faces but had no idea the recognition I was about to receive. It was such a great honor and an amazing feeling. I truly have a passion for teaching financial literacy to students, preparing them for life after high school. I am honored that my passion and hard work was recognized by my department head, Lisa Canole, who nominated me.
What inspired you to become a math teacher? I have had a passion for math since elementary school. Along with … influential math teachers, it catapulted me into teaching math. I naturally think very logically and methodically. That in conjunction with my interest in children and education, I seamlessly progressed into double majoring in mathematics and secondary education at Roger Williams University. When given the opportunity to teach financial literacy, I emphatically believe I found my purpose in education. Connecting mathematics and how it relates to the world around us in financial literacy has been very rewarding.
How has the coronavirus impacted you personally and professionally? The best part of my job is seeing the kids each day, so not seeing them in the classroom was a huge change and disappointment. Also, I feel like a big part of my job as a personal-finance teacher is telling stories and they often come to me on the fly, so I wasn’t able to provide as many personal stories as I usually do when we are learning in the traditional classroom setting. On a personal level, I have two young daughters, 2 and 4 years old, so that was a struggle to manage being a mom and teaching from home at the same time.
What goals or objectives do you hope to accomplish as a teacher, and what is the most rewarding aspect of your job? I hope to work towards making financial literacy a requirement at my school first, and then hopefully throughout Rhode Island. I have a goal to earn my master’s in teaching and learning with a concentration in accounting from Rhode Island College and continue to educate myself about financial topics so I can better educate my students. I truly enjoy what I teach, and I love to see the students absorb everything they learn in this class.
