Virginia Economic Educator Awards Recognize Innovation and Creativity

By Tom Gresham

The Virginia Council on Economic Education honored outstanding educators last week during a luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Kathryn Peyton from George C. Marshall High School in Fairfax County was awarded Virginia’s 2010 Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year at the event. Peyton received a certificate and a check for $1,000. The Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year is selected for his or her exceptional contributions to the cause of advancing economic education in Virginia’s primary and secondary schools.

Peyton has advanced her students’ understanding of economics during her teaching career and has been a leader in bringing economics education to the eight International Baccalaureate High Schools in Fairfax County. Having worked in the business world prior to teaching, Peyton “incorporates an invaluable wealth of experience into her lessons ... bringing meaning and relevance to her classroom,” said Kurt Waters, high school social studies specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools.

In addition to Peyton, the following economic educators were chosen as the Outstanding Economic Educator in their respective regions: Ellen Forbes Copenhaver, James Madison Middle School, Roanoke; Karen Cyrus, Appomattox Elementary School, Appomattox County; Rickie Jean Lynch and Gerald Ortiz, St. Patrick Catholic School, Norfolk; Rebecca Necessary, Midlothian Middle School, Chesterfield County; Allen Ruliffson, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Rockingham County; and Barry Yost, Career, Technical, Adult and Alternative Education, Washington County.

VCEE also recognized educators from around Virginia for demonstrated excellence, creativity and innovation in teaching economics and personal finance. First place in the Lesson Plan category for teachers in grades 6-12 went to Donna Draeger from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, and Becky Horstman from Hermitage Elementary School in Virginia Beach was the first place winner for grades K-5.  In the Unit/Project Plan category, Allen Ruliffson from J. Frank Hillyard Middle School in Rockingham County took first place for grades 6-12, while Jennifer Wright from Waterman Elementary School in Harrisonburg secured the first place spot for grades K-5.  Award winners in these categories, as well as the outstanding economic educators across the state, each received cash awards.

VCEE’s Community Partnership Award, given annually to an outstanding individual or organization who has promoted the importance of economic and financial literacy in Virginia, was presented to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Jeffrey Lacker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, accepted the award from Jeffrey Leopold, chairman of the VCEE Board of Directors. Lacker spoke briefly about the Fed’s partnership with VCEE and its overall commitment to economic and financial education for Virginia’s citizens. He emphasized the importance of the Federal Reserve Bank “redoubling” its efforts to provide economic and financial literacy.

For more than 40 years, the Virginia Council on Economic Education, a nonprofit entity, has focused on providing Virginia’s K-12 students with the economic knowledge and financial skills needed to thrive. By partnering with teachers and school divisions, VCEE seeks to help students understand basic economic principles and develop decision-making skills needed to be informed consumers, productive employees or innovative entrepreneurs, thoughtful investors and reasoned voters.

Resources and professional development opportunities for teachers are delivered through a statewide network of affiliated university-based centers for economic education, through which VCEE builds and nurtures ongoing partnerships with Virginia’s school divisions and their teachers. VCEE has been a strong advocate for, and driving force behind, getting economics and personal finance into Virginia’s K-12 classrooms.  It seeks to be a partner with, and resource for, the Virginia Department of Education and Board of Education, as well as for local school divisions. The Virginia Council on Economic Education operates as a true public-private partnership by leveraging the collective intelligence, resources and spirit of state government, local school divisions, universities, business leaders and teachers.

The VCEE is affiliated with the Center for Economic Education in the VCU School of Business.