Live From Boston: Why Today’s Financial Literacy Requirements Aren’t Enough (Episode 29)
Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America’s classrooms.
This episode features Scott Milner, a mathematics and personal finance teacher at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). A Jump$tart ambassador and self-described math nerd turned finance advocate, Scott discovered his passion for financial education almost by accident — and hasn’t looked back since.
Christina and Rod sit down with Scott to hear how a single student’s comment in his very first year of teaching changed the trajectory of his career. He opens up about the realities of Oklahoma’s financial literacy graduation requirement — and why meeting it on paper doesn’t always mean students are actually learning. He also shares what real financial literacy looks like in his classroom, from students opening their first banking accounts to starting brokerage accounts at 18, and makes a compelling case for why confidence is the true measure of a financial education that works.
Scott closes with a message that every student — and every teacher — needs to hear: the habits you build today will define your financial future. And for Scott, helping students understand that is what makes showing up to school every single day worth it.
#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!
You can subscribe to the #CreditChat Live podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Audible, iHeart Radio, Google Play, Deezer, and YouTube.
Watch the full video episode here!
About Scott Milner
Scott Milner teaches Math of Finance and Algebra 2 at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and is in his 14th year of teaching. He thoroughly enjoys engaging students in finance topics through a variety of methods, with a particular passion for teaching about the stock market, investing, and compound interest. He is also a big spreadsheet guy — proficiency in Google Sheets is a major goal for his Finance students.
Scott also coaches boys and girls tennis and is grateful it allows him to spend a chunk of his day outside. He loves the outdoors, especially hiking in Colorado.
He is married to his lovely wife Kali. They have a sweet baby girl, Miley, and a spoiled goldendoodle, Albert.