11 Teachers Surprised with Economic Teaching Awards

October 1, 2024

LITTLE ROCK— Eleven Arkansas teachers were recently surprised with a Bessie B. Moore Teaching Award from Economics Arkansas for the 2023-24 academic year.

The awards program recognizes Arkansas teachers for going “above and beyond” what is required by developing outstanding economic and personal finance projects they integrate into the classroom during the school year.

The 2023-24 awardees include:

·         April Blackburn: Economics is THRILLING!, Anne Watson Elementary, East End School District

·         Erica Cooper: Game On Econ, Hackett Elementary, Hackett School District

·         Alundra Dickson: The Renaissance Era: The Taylor Swift and Beyonce Economy, Central High School, Little Rock School District

·         Terry Isringhouse: The ABCs of Economics, Central Elementary School, Forrest City School District (now retired)

·         Claudine James: Family Careers and the Economy, Malvern Middle School, Malvern School District

·         R. David Massery, Innovations in Economic Education, Little Rock Catholic High School

·         Shelly Porter: A Goodly Amount of Economics, Elkins Elementary, Elkins School District

·         Tori Walker: Shoe Company Competition, Centerpoint High School, Centerpoint School District

·         Vivian Graham, Jayme King, and Jessica Talley: EES Elfonomics, East Side Elementary, Magnolia School District

Marsha Masters, Associate Director of Economics Arkansas, had this to say of this year’s winners: “The winners in this year’s awards program integrated economics in many creative ways and platforms. Their projects ranged from learning economics through amusement parks, video games, and Women’s History Month, all while learning many financial lessons along the way. They even proved that Beyonce and Taylor Swift can teach us about the economy! These teachers provided lifelong learning opportunities which will be remembered by students throughout their lives and will equip them to see life through the lens of economics.”

The awards program aims to stimulate creativity and innovation in teaching economics, encourage educators to develop descriptions of their successful teaching practices, and recognize outstanding educators who effectively teach economic education principles. Winning entries demonstrate standards-based knowledge of economics appropriate to the grade level or course being taught and support increased student achievement and growth in economic understanding.

The award is named after Economics Arkansas’ first Executive Director, Dr. Bessie B. Moore. Award recipients are surprised by the “Bessie Brigade” each fall, and receive a monetary award, a basket of goodies, and “The Bessie” statue award.

Economics Arkansas is a private, non-profit, non-partisan educational organization founded in 1962 by Dr. Arch Ford and led by Dr. Bessie B. Moore to promote economic literacy in Arkansas. Its mission is to equip PreK-12 schools with standards-based resources and professional development to teach economics, personal finance, and the free-enterprise system using practical, innovative, and inspiring methods so that Arkansas students may master an understanding of economics and personal finance and apply that knowledge for success in the free-enterprise system.

Economics Arkansas | P.O. Box 3447, Little Rock, AR 72203 | 501-682-4230 | www.economicsarkansas.org

–###–