UC Economics Center develops innovative professional development series

The Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati will launch its new professional development series, Cruisin’ through the Standards, beginning this November.
 
The courses will offer sample lesson plans and instruction to K-8 teachers who can then implement material into the classroom, without having to set aside separate instructional time that is needed for core subject matters.
 
“Our whole mission is about teaching economics and personal finance at an early age,” says Jaclyn Smith, marketing director at the Economics Center. “But teachers are so busy, because they have all these new assessments, and requirements getting thrown at them—especially this year—so we’re trying a new integration approach.”
 
According to Smith, though, this isn’t simply an education-related issue.
 
“What we’re really trying to do is combat the surveys—if you look at financial capability in the TriState region, we rank really low on the national average, so what we want to do is shift that trend,” Smith says.
 
The way to do that, she says, is by introducing young students to key concepts at a young age.
 
“So if you’re teaching language arts, why not do a book like Lawn Boy where you’re teaching these children in elementary school about reading, but at the same time, they’re reading a book about a 12 year-old who starts his own lawn mowing business,” Smith says. “You’re introducing them to all these broader concepts, and we’re thinking about how to bring that to life.” 

Do Good:

•    Sign up for the upcoming professional development courses. If you register for all four Cruisin' through the Standards courses, you'll receive 50 percent off registration with the code UCEC during checkout. 

•    Help the Economics Center further its mission by donating. 

•    Volunteer with the organization.