Independence High teacher wins Nusenda 2024 Financial education Innovation Award

Nusenda announced its 2024 Financial Education Innovation Award winners last week, which included a teacher from Rio Rancho Public Schools.

These awards aim to show Nusenda’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and investing in solutions that improve financial outcomes for the next generation.

“Nusenda is excited to provide the Financial Education Innovation Awards to elevate educators and programs that prioritize financial capability,” said Joe Christian, Nusenda president and CEO. “We are proud to fund innovative teachers and organizations who are working to provide a brighter future for students and our communities.”

This year, the credit union awarded a total of $20,000: $15,000 to one organization and five $1,000 awards for classroom initiatives.

Independence High School teacher Rachel Feliciano received a $1,000 award. Serving students at a non-traditional school, Feliciano works with juniors and seniors experiencing a variety of challenges: graduation credit deficiencies, required transfer from their comprehensive home high school, or if the student is a parent or expecting. Most students are already navigating real-world challenges, school and part-time jobs, and she shares important lessons on banking, paychecks, rental agreements, car financing, credit and more, the credit union said in announcing the award.