The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) — Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is proud to congratulate Jennifer Balkey, a retired educator from Rockbridge County High School, for receiving the prestigious W!se Gold Star Teacher Award for 2024. Jennifer, who taught Dual Enrollment
Finance courses for MGCC at Rockbridge County High School, was recognized for her excellence in financial literacy education and her commitment to preparing students for the National W!se exam.
Jennifer’s students have earned the W!se Gold Star distinction for four consecutive years (2020- 2024), a rare accomplishment that demonstrates her dedication to teaching financial literacy.
The Gold Star Award is given to educators whose students demonstrate outstanding performance on the National W!se exam, which covers essential topics in personal finance. Jennifer’s course requires students to pass the National W!se Financial Literacy test, which serves as their final exam. The test covers four important areas: Money Management, Banking, Credit, and Insurance & Investing.
“During the school year, we work hard to learn, understand, and comprehend the material that will be on the National W!se exam,” Jennifer said. “It’s not only important for students to pass the exam but also to take what they’ve learned and apply it throughout their lives.” Schools with Gold Star Teacher status are considered Blue Star Schools, a designation given to schools where a significant portion of students demonstrate financial literacy proficiency by achieving high passing rates on the W!se Certification Test.
“I was very excited and proud to hear that I made the list of Gold Star teachers for this past school year,” Jennifer added. “It is truly rewarding to see my students not only succeed on the exam but also feel confident in applying their financial knowledge as they move forward in life.”
Jennifer’s impact extends beyond the classroom and her teaching role. She has also served as an invaluable member of MGCC’s Business Advisory Board for several years, helping to shape the future of local business education.
“This achievement, for the fourth consecutive year, underscores her commitment to her students, to the study of finance, and to a quality educational experience,” said Rachael Thompson, Business Program Head at MGCC. “Our Business Department is incredibly thankful for Ms. Balkey’s dedication and expertise as a dual enrollment instructor over the years. We offer our sincere congratulations to Ms. Balkey and her students.”
Jennifer’s role as a Dual Enrollment instructor allowed high school students to earn college credit for the Finance course, which is an integral part of Mountain Gateway’s Dual Enrollment program. High school juniors and seniors (and exceptional freshmen and sophomores in some cases) have the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school. These courses, which include academic subjects and Career and Technical Education (CTE), are taught by qualified instructors and help students meet both high school graduation requirements and earn college credit or even an associate degree.
Dual Enrollment students benefit from significant cost savings, a smoother transition to college, and valuable career experience. The courses also prepare students for both higher education and the workforce, improving college persistence, GPA, and graduation rates. Credits earned in
Dual Enrollment courses are transferable to MGCC, most Virginia colleges, and many out-of-state institutions.
Mountain Gateway Community College congratulates Jennifer Balkey on this outstanding recognition and thanks her for her years of dedicated service to Rockbridge County students. Her legacy of teaching financial literacy and empowering young people will continue to inspire future generations.
For more information about Dual Enrollment at high schools in MGCC’s service region, please contact Dual Enrollment Coordinator Ann Courtney at acourtney@mgcc.edu.
