Educators in the Spotlight
Six classroom teachers and a recently retired economic education director were honored October 24, 2006 at ICEE's annual Economic Education Awareness Day Awards luncheon, held at the Union League Club in Chicago. ICEE board members, contributors and guests gathered to celebrate outstanding educators.
Connie Moran, Investment Program Director for Ariel Community Academy in Chicago, was presented with the 2006 Economic Educator Excellence Award, elementary level, for her outstanding work in promoting financial and economic literacy in her school. “Connie is a driving force behind economic and financial literacy at Ariel,” said ICEE President Joanne Dempsey in presenting the award. “She is truly an ambassador for the power of economic knowledge to change a child’s life.”
Tammi Conn, Head of the Business Department at Kaneland High School in Maple Park, received the secondary level 2006 Economic Educator Excellence Award. In presenting the award to Tammi, Dempsey noted that “she is an outstanding and dedicated teacher who understands that every student needs to learn the economic way of thinking to effectively participate in today’s global economy.”
Both Moran and Conn received a plaque and a check for $1000 in recognition of their work.
Also receiving recognition were four teachers who received Innovative Economic Educator Mini-Grants. These grants were awarded as a way to enable teachers to create innovative teaching projects for their classroom. Grants of $500 were provided to facilitate development of curriculum projects that must then be entered in the Innovative Economic Educator Awards.
Innovative Economic Educator Mini-Grant recipients for 2006-2007 are:
- Bellasanta Ferrer from Patrick Henry Elementary School in Chicago
- Andrew Hirshman from Mundelein Consolidated High School in Mundelein
- Nina King from Woodgate Elementary School in Matteson
- Laura Olson from York High School in Elmhurst
Also at the luncheon, Linda Yost, recently retired Director of the Center for Economic Education at Bradley University, was recognized by Dempsey for her years of service. “Linda will be missed for her soft-spoken leadership and direction with the Bradley Center’s programs and events,” noted Dempsey. “We thank her for her dedication to serving the teachers in the Peoria area and wish her an exciting, well-deserved retirement!”
Special guest at the luncheon was Barbara Mussman, consumer education teacher at Grant Park High School. Mussman was selected to attend the National Council on Economic Education's Train the Writers Program in Romania in September. (See article) Mussman shared her experience with guests at the luncheon.