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Professional Development for Teachers

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Professional Development for Teachers

Workshops, Courses and Program Training

Teacher Conference on Financial Literacy (K-12)

Now more than ever it is critical that young adults have a fundamental understanding of personal finance.  This conference will link the latest in financial literacy curriculum (including links to Common core Standards) to developments in financial markets with industry speakers.  Guest speakers will also discuss real-world financial issues and what consumers need to know to create long-run financial security.  Earn 5 CPDUs!The conference will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on Tuesday, July 9.  Registration is required by contacting Dr. Helen Roberts: hroberts@uic.edu or 312.413.3599.

UIC Center for Economic Education Offerings (K-12)

A variety of economics and financial literacy programs are offered through the UIC Center.  Details and registration information for each program listed below can be found on the UIC Center for Economic Education flyer.

  • Teacher conference on Financial Literacy (K-12)- see information provided above
  • Economics is for Life modules – July 15-26 (recertification or graduate credit option)
  • The Stock Market Game workshop – Sept 17, Sept 18
  • Economics Concepts Poster Contest – fall

NIU Center for Economic Education Offerings (K-12)

The NIU Center offers credit and non-credit professional development programs that enable teachers to incorporate economics into their classroom activities.  Scheduled workshops include:

  • The Stock Market Game & Virtual Economics 4.0 - June 5
  • Teaching Economics Using Children's Literature - June 20
  • Learning, Earning, and Investing for a New Generation & and Virtual Economics 4.0 - June 25

GSU Center for Economic Education Offerings (K-12)

Professional Development opportunities include:

  • Fall and Spring conferences, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, for teachers in grades 6 – 12:  Topics of current interest are discussed by experts, and teachers learn how to apply concepts in their classrooms.
  • Graduate-courses: The Office of Economic Education offers a number of graduate level courses for teachers who want to enhance their teaching of economics concepts.  Courses are designed at all levels, from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
  • Workshops: Economic Education workshops are conducted periodically. These workshops target different grade levels and focus on strategies for teaching economics principles in reading, math, and social studies classes.

CLASEP Offerings

The NIU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences External Programming connects award-winning Liberal Arts & Sciences faculty with students, teachers, professionals, lifelong learners and world travelers.

NIU - STEM Offerings

This summer, attend a 5-day professional development workshop at no cost to you! To register and learn more about the ASM Materials Workshop for Teachers, view the flyer.  

Additionally, STEM Café’s and the Summer Under the Stars programming are available for teachers and community members.  

52nd Annual Financial Literacy & Economic Education Conference (K-12)

The Council for Economic Education’s Conference is a nationwide annual gathering of educators including K-12 teachers, college and university professors and Federal Reserve partners.  Last year over 240 K-12 teachers from 38 states attended, many on scholarships provided by CEE.

The October conference features a diverse selection of presentations, workshops and events to enable educators to raise the levels of economic and financial literacy among K-12 students.  It also features the latest in curriculum development, instructional materials, teaching strategies, new programs and best practices; outstanding speakers on current economic and financial topics; hands-on technology education sessions; networking opportunities; and teacher roundtables to discuss shared issues, accomplishments, challenges and opportunities.

SMG On-Site Training (Grades 4-12)

On-site teacher workshops (September & January/February) for first-time or novice Stock Market Game teachers include interactive curriculum lessons, stock market basics, handouts and hands-on computer lab sessions. Teachers learn how to access the SMG's Teacher Support Center of online curricula, lesson planning, tutorials and assessments; how to access and manipulate the student-based portfolio simulation. Teachers unsure of utilizing the program are also welcome to attend. CPDUs provided. All workshops are free.

Virtual Economics Version 4.0 (Grades K-12)

Virtual Economics Version 4.0 is offered at select teacher conferences and workshops offer training in. Read about this teaching resource which is loaded with activity-based lessons from over 75 publications; 51 key concepts and a glossary with over 500 terms.

Certificate in the Teaching of Economics (Grades K-12, post-secondary)

Teachers at the K-12, community college, and college and university levels will develop skills to teach courses in economics and consumer economics as well as how to include economic concepts in other courses. Contact Dr. Helen Roberts at the University of Illinois Chicago Center for Economic Education by phone at 312.355.0378 or email at hroberts@uic.edu.

UIC Economic Education Graduate Courses

The UIC Center for Economic Education offers a variety of graduate courses for the educator. Courses have various formats offering flexibility of online, on-site and a blend of the two formats. The number of graduate hours, prerequisite(s), and a summary of topics are provided on the UIC CEE website.  For questions or if interested, contact Helen Roberts: hroberts@uic.edu.

Master of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators (K-12)

The Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware, Lerner College of Business and Economics offers a graduate program designed for educators. If interested, be sure to contact Econ Illinois for additional information on this amazing opportunity! 

The MAEEE program (held two consecutive summers) not only helps strengthen the economic, entrepreneurial and financial literacy content of instruction at the primary and secondary school level, but also establishes a network of educators who can help instruct teachers in effective methods of teaching. Applications will be sought in January and February for the next class beginning summer 2013. 

Master’s of Education – Economics (K-12)

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Economic Education offers a graduate program for K-12 educators designed to help teachers enhance their knowledge of basic economics concepts and demonstrate how economics can be taught in the K-12 classroom. Coursework includes a series of economics principles courses designed for educators along with a set of applied economics courses in a variety of subjects. No prerequisites in economics are required.

Associations, Conferences & Enrichment