A Win for Teachers and Students
We’re thrilled to announce and celebrate this year’s Cash for Classrooms teacher grant recipients! Choosing winners wasn’t an easy task; we received many deserving nominations and chose 10 teachers for a total of $5,000 in grants.
Launched in 2021, the annual Cash for Classrooms program was designed to provide monetary support to teachers creating innovative financial literacy programs in schools across Michigan. Consistently a favorite among educators, the 2025 program proved especially popular with over 500 submitted applications. Representing classrooms from kindergarten to high school, and subjects ranging from History to Physical Education, teachers couldn’t wait to apply for the grant program.
With rubrics in hand, the scoring committee was dedicated to unearthing the gems in the record-breaking outpouring of ideas. Within their applications, passionate educators detailed creative means for preparing students for the real world – budgeting simulations, entrepreneurial enterprises, and even savings challenges detailed ways for making money lessons empowering, engaging and fun. In the end, 10 applicants were selected based on their detailed objectives, goals, and budgetary use of the $500 grant.
Let’s meet our 2025 Cash for Classrooms grant winners:
Glenn Hoffman
School: Hudson Area Schools
City: Hudson, Michigan
Grade Level: Middle/High School – Special Education
Glenn’s students will build everyday independence through hands-on financial lessons. With support from the grant, students will learn to plan meals, budget for groceries, compare prices, and connect money management to household decision-making. The project emphasizes real-world skills that foster confidence and financial awareness.
Patrice Daniels
School: Cass Technical High School
City: Detroit, Michigan
Grade Level: 9th – 11th
Patrice is launching “Financeville,” a project-based financial literacy program for high school students. Starting as a classroom economy in 9th grade and expanding by 11th grade, students will explore budgeting, earning, and spending through immersive roles that mirror adult financial responsibilities.
Michelle Hyrns
School: Cedar Trails Elementary
City: Cedar Springs, Michigan
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Michelle is creating play-based financial literacy centers for young learners. Thanks to the grant, students will shop at a classroom market, budget for pretend meals, and make deposits at a classroom bank. These activities teach saving, spending, and the value of money while reinforcing math and literacy skills.
Jessica Stoker
School: Ezra Eby Elementary
City: Napoleon, Michigan
Grade Level: 3rd
Jessica is connecting history, math, and money through hands-on exploration of trade and entrepreneurship. Using mentor texts and activities like a “Lumberjack Camp Store,” students will learn to budget, price goods, and understand how value and trade have evolved from Michigan’s early settlers to today.
Leslie Carlis
School: Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies
City: Detroit, Michigan
Grade Level: 8th
Leslie’s 8th-grade ELA students will explore financial literacy through reading, writing, and cross-curricular projects. Students will analyze food costs, write persuasive essays, and grow their own produce to compare expenses. Through collaboration and reflection, they’ll gain practical financial skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
Siranda Patchel
School: Elmwood Elementary
City: St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Grade Level: Speech-Language Pathologist
Siranda is integrating financial literacy into speech therapy to support communication and independence. Students will practice budgeting, shopping role-play, and running a mini store using visual supports and augmentative and alternative communication tools. The project builds financial decision-making alongside expressive and receptive language skills.
Rachel Klingelhofer
School: North Pointe IB Elementary
City: Southgate, Michigan
Grade Level: 3rd
Rachel is bringing Michigan’s economy to life with a student-run marketplace. Students will become vendors and shoppers, selling Michigan-made products, setting prices, and managing budgets. The grant covers supply costs, turning a classroom simulation into a hands-on lesson in economics and entrepreneurship.
Luke Freeman
School: Au Gres-Sims High School
City: Au Gres, Michigan
Grade Level: 9th – 12th
Luke’s environmental science students will run a greenhouse business to connect sustainability with financial literacy. After growing native plants, students will research pricing, create budgets, and sell at a local farmer’s market. The project teaches stewardship, entrepreneurship, and financial responsibility through real-world experience.
Jennifer Rowe
School: Ludington High School
City: Ludington, Michigan
Grade Level: 10th – 12th
Jennifer’s students will apply financial literacy to everyday life through practical, cost-saving skills.
After learning budgeting and saving, students will explore sewing and gardening to stretch their budgets. With supplies for clothing repair and herb growing, they’ll discover how small habits support financial independence.
Tiffany Stano
School: Dickinson West
City: Hamtramck, Michigan
Grade Level: 5th
Tiffany is guiding 5th graders through a classroom market simulation to teach entrepreneurship and economics. Students will create small businesses using classroom currency, plan and advertise their products, and reflect on their experience. The project offers a hands-on introduction to financial concepts in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
