Cherry Hedges, 35, came to Richmond more than a decade ago to be a teacher and educate kindergarteners. But after eight years, she has found a different challenge in teaching adults, young and old, the importance of financial literacy. With an uncertain and unstable economic market, many in Richmond and across the country are struggling to stay solvent and out of debt. Working for the Virginia Credit Union, which wants its members and the community as a whole to be successful financially, Hedges wants to help people do just that, starting with our young adults.

"The Virginia Credit Union is a not-for-profit organization owned by members so we truly want members to be successful with their finances. One of the ways we give back is through financial education to members and the community. We feel like it's a vital key for success in a person's life."

How did you become a kindergarten teacher?

I taught for eight years in Henrico County at Ridge Elementary.

I was very active in taking mission trips in college. Actually, I was a nursing major originally and then I took some courses and felt like that wasn't the path I wanted to take. Then I took a mission trip to Jamaica. I loved working with the kids. It was a wonderful experience and from that I changed my major to education. I graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor's degree. My husband is a youth minister. We moved here and I finished student teaching with Henrico.

How did you shift from teaching kindergarteners to teaching financial education?

I loved teaching and making a difference in the lives of students. It was a great experience. (But) about three or four years ago, I got my masters in instruction and curriculum from UVA. I was ready for a different challenge and other possibilities in advancing education. The track there is administration or something in that aspect. I really didn't have the heart to do that. Then the opportunity came up here for financial education. I like it because it's still teaching but kind of a different viewpoint, a new challenging experience. It just seemed to be a very good match, with the philosophy of helping people and meeting the needs of our members and the community through education. It's something I wanted to be a part of. I started last year.

What do you do for the Virginia Credit Union?

I'm in charge of education programs for the credit union, specifically focusing on student education for high schools and teachers. I do coordinate and help present adult education as well.

It differs per group. This past year, I started from scratch meeting with teachers and administrators through the tri-cities area to figure out the need for financial education in schools and what we found was that (there was a) need for curriculum that could be taught in a short amount of time that met all financial education objectives. We created a curriculum called "Smart Start." It is five lessons, incorporating all 15 objectives from Senate bill 950. The bill passed several years ago mandates financial education be taught.

It's geared toward high school kids. This curriculum is what we present to high schoolers and teachers who teach it. For colleges, we offer a more specific course designed to meet their needs and we have a variety of adult education. The bottom line is it's basically money management skills, like creating a budget, understanding credit and how your credit score works.

Why is it important to have a good financial education?

We found out adults, at times, don't have a good understanding of how finances affect everything else in their life. So first, we like to begin young. It's very important to start at a young age so before they even get to the point of getting a credit card or spending in excess, they have a good foundation. Our goal there is to educate young adults on the basics, so they have the knowledge to make smart choices when they get to that point in their lives when they're opening up credit accounts and applying for loans.

With older adults, we feel like it's vital that they understand how everything works and how a credit score affects getting a loan and if they're in debt, there are steps to get out of that situation and give hope to people that feel they're kind of in hopeless situations with finances. And for people who aren't hopeless, it's giving them the bottom line understanding of how to maintain finances.

What was that type of change like for you?

I've learned a lot. It's been a wonderful transition. The Virginia Credit Union has been wonderful about mentoring me and teaching me about aspects of finances and the credit union. I'm still in a classroom, which I love. I do miss teaching little children, but I get opportunities to do that in different situations. For example, I worked with the Richmond Community Action Program with their young kids recently. I did a financial presentation. It's fun and hands on and there were children from kindergarten age and up. That felt good to be back working with young kids. But what's so wonderful about this job is just the ability to be in contact with the school system and working in the classroom. (That has) made it an easy transition. The heart of what I do is education and that has not changed.

What's the hardest financial lesson for people to learn?

Understanding what their credit score is and how it affects everything. For example, in the city schools, prom was fast approaching. I spoke with a young woman who had bought everything. She had the dress. She had her nails done, but she had not yet bought her ticket. We talked about priorities and spending ... and wants versus needs. I really like to show them how to view money, saving and saving early because saving money does not come naturally. The first thing we want to do is spend it at any age. It's almost a rewiring of your brain. Understanding for young adults is very vital.

If you could have everyone do or know one thing financially, what would it be?

That they are in control of their finances. I think a lot of times, making that first step, is understanding that. I think we all want to save and know we should and that finances are important and we create goals for ourself in a lot of areas of our life, like physical, spiritual and emotional, but we tend to neglect finances and they really affect everything else in life. So just taking the first step of creating goals and getting a hold of your financial situation is very important and, from there, learning the other things associated, like your credit score, buying a house and car an investing come in line. You've got to make that first step.

What are your hobbies?

I'm active at our church. My husband is a minister. I teach Sunday school and work with youth. I have two kids, ages 11 and 6. I spend a lot of spare time doing things for kids. It's mostly children and church outside of work.

What are you listening to on your iPod right now?

I listen to everything, from Christian contemporary to 80's. I like Lite 98.

Richmond is __?

A wonderful place to create a life that is fulfilling and offers many opportunities through schools and business organizations.