Gail Morris

Morris’ innovative teaching idea, “InveSTEAMING for Success,” focuses on instilling financial and technological literacy in the next generation of leaders at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School. Morris recognizes that in today’s technology-driven world, students need to be quick adapters. In understanding the demand for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM)-related careers is steadily increasing; Morris hopes to help students increase their financial literacy skills and broaden their understanding of investing, retirement and debt. Through this project, students will choose a preferred career in the STEAM field, develop a financial plan accordingly and hypothetically invest in a mock stock market experience to learn the basic knowledge of investing. With the Voya grant, Morris will purchase materials for creating STEAM kits to support this exercise which will allow her students to gain a better understanding of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity.