Teachers Become Students at Economics Institute

Judi Crenshaw
Communications & Marketing Manager
VCEE

A few were a little nervous. Most headed straight for the snacks. For some, it was complicated material and there were questions about how they could possibly cover it all. All were excited to generate new ideas for the classroom.

These were not teenagers or typical students overheard in the VCU School of Business. It was a diverse group of educators preparing to teach the new Virginia high school course in Economics and Personal Finance.

“We just keep reminding the teachers to put themselves in the students’ shoes,” said Suzanne Gallagher, director of the VCU Center for Economic Education. “All economic concepts are more meaningful when put in the context of the students’ own experiences.”

VCU School of Business was the site of the Economics Institute, provided by the VCU Center for Economic Education and the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE) from Aug. 6 to Aug. 14. Both organizations are located on the second floor in Snead Hall.

VCEE Executive Director Sarah Finley is enthusiastic about the role the VCU center plays in training and professional development for Virginia’s K-12 teachers. “Using a ‘teach the teacher’ approach allows us to multiply the number of students impacted,” said Finley.

“The VCU Center has provided more than 225 teachers with the knowledge and classroom resources that will help them better teach the new high school course, impacting more than 22,250 students annually,” Finley said. “And unless taking the course for graduate credit, there is no cost for teachers to attend due to generous support from the business community, particularly the financial services industry.”

She explained that the program is an excellent example of community engagement and regional impact targeted in K-12 education promoted by VCU's Quest for Distinction.

Students need a strong foundation in economics and personal finance to be effective consumers, workers, savers, investors, entrepreneurs and active citizens. The understanding of how markets operate and how the U.S. is interconnected with the global economy prepares students to be more productive participants in the workplace.

Beginning with students completing the 9th grade last year, Virginia’s high schoolers must now earn a credit in economics and personal finance before they graduate. And for a week in the summer at VCU School of Business, some enthusiastic teachers equipped themselves with new skills to ensure their students succeed.

Established in 1969 by J.Curtis Hall, dean of the VCU School of Business, the Virginia Council for Economic Education (VCEE) is a nonprofit public-private partnership. VCEE’s mission is to provide Virginia’s K-12 students with economic knowledge and financial skills to thrive in our dynamic economy. For more information, visit www.VCEE.org or contact Judi Crenshaw at (804) 827-7402.