7 Educators Receive Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics

September 6, 2023

LITTLE ROCK— Economics Arkansas recently awarded seven teachers with a Bessie B. Moore Teaching Award for the 2022-23 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.

Winners of the 2022-23 competition include:

·         Wesley Ader: When Going to the World Cup Hits Home, Bryant Junior High, Bryant Public Schools

·         Rebekah Bilderback: Economics is Life: Life Skills 101, Greenbrier Junior High, Greenbrier School District

·         Misty Burgess: Scarcity in Our World, Greenbrier High, Greenbrier School District

·         Jamie Garmon: What’s Popping in Economics?, Baker Elementary, Pulaski County Special School District

·         Amy Gordon: The Lemonade War, Barling Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

·         Valarie Harp: Beachonomics, Hackett Elementary, Hackett School District

·         Ruthie Walls: From Ninth Street to Now, Central High School, Little Rock 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 a yummy snack to planning a trip to the World Cup and learning many financial lessons along the way. 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” award statue.

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

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