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What teachers say about Econ Illinois programs

"I would like to thank you and all of your staff for all of the great things that you have done for me. Your staff has made teaching for me a fun thing and most of all, my kids loved the content. Because of that, my job was a walk in the park. Thanks again." James Artese, Bogan HS, John Hancock HS, May 2007.

"[The Stock Market Game] teaches young people how to invest and use their analytical skills, and it stimulates their interest in the world beyond their classroom. It made a tremendous difference in my professional and personal success; it can have the same impact on other kids, too." Martin Cabrera, Jr. - President and CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC - a graduate of Bogan High School, Chicago.

The Stock Market Game program

(Illinois Capitol Challenge 2011) "Representative Deborah Mell visited our school and my econ class. It was really a great experience for my students and myself.  I demonstrated the way I incorporate your resources (Virtual Economics and the SMG program) into my AP Microeconomics class. The students asked questions about current state legislative developments regarding taxation and government spending.  It was an interesting and productive discussion." Roosevelt HS (Chicago) teacher, December 2011

"This will be the fifth semester I have been involved in The Stock Market Game. My students love it!! It has become the highlight of my course. Thank you for all you have done to introduce young students to the wonderful (and risky) world of investing." Archdiocese of Chicago high school economics teacher, Sept 2009

"I am so thankful that the funding for The Stock Market Game was [continued]. My students love this Game so much!" Granite City Dist 9 Middle School teacher, August 2009

"Our entire school is electrified by the opportunity The Stock Market Game presents." Chicago Parochial high school teacher

"Our students are 'to the moon' with excitement. Thank you for all you do to keep The Stock Market Game running smoothly and for [providing] such a great learning tool for our students." Elementary District 96 teacher

"I would like to commend [your team's] hard work. You have exposed our students and community to opportunities that will stay with them for their whole lives and encourage higher level thinking along with cooperation, as no other single activity could have. We also can't forget just how much fun it is for all of us, too." Archdiocese of Chicago high school teacher

"Students can start early in their life learning about investments—'Bravo!'"

"We are enjoying every day of this game.  In classroom environments, no parallel can be drawn to the prompt assessment available through real life data directly from stock exchanges.  Every day our kids check for their standing and portfolios and in fact do talk about investing in real life. I wish we could do a similar assessment in every subject we teach in our class. Many thanks for the wonderful support that we have received throughout this game.  You have made everything so simple and easy." CPS 299 high school teacher

"Thank you for providing such a valuable program for the students.  I have found that economic education is not usually covered during a students typical junior high experience.  This is a great activity and I enjoy doing it with the students." Oswego District 308 Junior High teacher

"SMG is true learning by doing.  The students were making important, relevant, financial decisions and seeing the consequences for themselves.  I think they’ll remember these lessons and apply them in life." CPS 299 elementary teacher

(SMG Webinar:) "I love the fact that I did not leave my house to get the excellent information. The information was clear and the timing of the [meeting] was good. I like observing while Marty had control of the mouse. It gave me an opportunity to take notes."

Illinois Personal Finance Challenge

"I sincerely want to thank Econ Illinois for helping me become a better teacher through your professional developments programs, The Stock Market Game and the Illinois Personal Finance Challenge. The enthusiasm that these programs instill in me is carried over to my classroom and to my students. My students are excited to be learning about personal finance and the life skills that will make them more productive members of society."

"The Illinois Personal Finance Challenge brought excitement to our classroom.  The students in our Consumer Education and Investments classes were anxious to learn as much as possible about personal finance in order to be as competitive as possible."

"IPFC provides an instructive and fun way for my students to learn real world skill and life-changing options."

"Thank you for providing a most relevant experience for our students."

"Financial knowledge frees students."

"As a second year teacher this experience makes me want to bring a team of my own next year from the new school I will be teaching at. "

"The Illinois Personal Finance Challenge has heightened the awareness of the importance of financial literacy among high school students."

"Thank you for the opportunity, great to see competition in academics, not just sports."

"Opportunities provided through Econ Illinois not only educate the students but engage them in personal finance."

"The IPFC is a great way for students to learn the importance of financial literacy."

"What a wonderful opportunity for my students!  They were thrilled with the competition and loved every minute of it!"

"What an amazing experience!  My students had a great time competing in the IPFC State Finals.  They are still talking about the trip and will remember it for the rest of their lives.  Thank you for supporting my goal of making financial literacy a life-long journey that begins at youth."

(Student Quote:) "Thanks for providing us with a great opportunity to expand our knowledge with some insight into the business world. As a senior, this was a great experience and a great way to learn."

(Student Quote:) "Thank you for providing students with the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real life applications. It has been a great experience."

Economics Challenge

"This program was superbly crafted and speaks to the necessity of a broad based economics curriculum in our schools."

"The Illinois Economics Challenge State Finals was a capstone event for us."

"I feel the competition encouraged students to have fun and apply advanced thinking to societal issues."

"High school students legitimately excited/enthused about econ. Combines contest with competitive drive to make the day fun yet challenging."

"This program gives students a great opportunity to show off what they’ve learned this year.  At the end of the day there is an air of pride about them."

"Economics Challenge competition provided a fun opportunity to learn and practice economics.  It also gave students an opportunity to develop teamsmanship."

(Student Quote:) "As a student of economics, I understand that the costs of a good education can be quite high, and I appreciate the benefits you supply us by [providing] opportunities like the ICEE’s Econ Challenge.  Without inflating these programs’ real value too much, I can safely say they provide us with skills and experiences that are in great demand.  My gratitude to you, and my hope that you will continue to [provide] such endeavors in the future."

(Student Quote:) "I really enjoy economics, however I sometimes doubt my abilities or think that it is not extraordinary to be involved in.  But because of this program I can believe in my ability to achieve in economics as well as educate myself, because knowledge is the gateway to success.  Thank you for giving me that opportunity."

(Student Quote:)" As a junior in high school with an interest in economics and finance, I can only thank you for [providing] programs that give me the opportunities for real education."

Economics Poster Contest

"Thank you very much for the calendar! It's wonderful that students are exposed to the economic concepts in elementary school. [My son] would like to share this calendar with his proud grandparents, new teachers and the state senator and representative that sent him congratulations. Therefore, we are requesting 7 more copies." Parents of 2008 state winner, Orland Park

"You have no idea how excited [the teachers and principal] at Woodgate School are about [this student's] state-level win in the poster contest. [The student] is a special ed student. At our [regional award] reception, [the student] was there, his parents, [the teacher], the principal and even the Special Ed coordinator. This is a school that had been on the state watch list for a few years and has turned itself around under the leadership of [the principal]. [The teacher] and a colleague received Honorable Mention in last year’s 3M Economic Education teacher award program, and she is fired up about teaching econ to her special ed students. Whoever picked this poster, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU." Sheryl Szot Gallaher, Director of the Governors State University Office of Economic Education, University Park, May 2009

International - Study Tour to South Africa

"I have never been out of the country.  I had no idea what to expect and what I would gain from the experience, although I expected it to be positive.  Positive doesn't begin to describe it.  This trip to South Africa influenced me both professionally and personally.  Professionally, I have gained a deeper respect for fellow educators committed to teaching economics in spite of some of the most challenging circumstances.  I empathize with their challenges and I am inspired by their thirst for content, materials and sharing of best practices.  I am also grateful for the experiences I have had as an educator and recognize that I have been blessed to have some wonderful experiences in the classroom with my students throughout the years.  Personally, this trip has strengthened my spirit.  My connection to the struggles and challenges of South Africans since the days of Apartheid were captured in this trip in a way I believe no textbook could. I have been deeply moved by this entire experience." Connie Moran, Ariel Community Academy, Chicago. August 2009

"We can talk about teaching economics but seeing economics taught brings us to a new level of understanding. The experiences we had in South Africa encouraged us to view the teaching of economics in a larger social context. Without being there, we would have an incomplete view of the intricacies of how economic concepts are taught in South Africa. The Council for Economic Education provided us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to see how teachers in South Africa apply teaching strategies in the classroom. This trip provided me with an understanding of economics that no textbook or seminar could duplicate. This experience was two weeks of intense professional development that will continue to influence my views of economics and how it is taught for a long time to come. When family and friends ask me; 'How was it?' I don't know where to begin. It was that encompassing an experience. We didn't just talk about how the CEE is changing economics education. We saw how the CEE is changing economics education." Ben Wellenreuter, Morton Jr High School, Morton. August 2009

Teaching Economics and Financial Literacy annual conference (January)

"Love all the ideas that can immediately be put to use!" Grade K-5 teacher

"I absolutely am overjoyed with the information provided at this conference! It included a variety of pertinent topics relevant to my 9-12 classroom as well as for me as a teaching professional." Grade 9-12 teacher

"I love what I am going to give to my 2nd/3rd graders.  I work at a private school.  I have never taught this type of economics.  Thanks."  Grade K-5 teacher

"Thank you for putting on an event that benefits not only my students but also me!  I left feeling excited about financial decisions." Grade K-5 teacher

"This was very valuable and insightful!  As we prepare our students to succeed in the world they must be financially literate!" Grade 9-12 teacher

"I’ve come to the conference for the last years, and I’ve always leave with wonderful fresh ideas to use but with my students and myself" Grade 6-8 teacher

"This is an extremely valuable program that should be adopted by every school" Grade 6-8 teacher

"Thank you for making consumer economics a cross curriculum topic for professional development." Grade 9-12 teacher

"I was overwhelmed to learn that I would receive the curriculum packets and the [Virtual Economics] CD. I shall share all of the materials with my colleagues. My heartfelt thanks for your commitment to educating children about financial literacy." K-5 teacher

"The program gets me excited about walking into my classroom with a fabulous new set of tools and ideas. It’s energizing!" Grade 9-12 teacher

"My time was well spent and our students will greatly benefit from what was covered today." K-5 teacher

"Economic education is critical for this generation of students. I will be considering how I can integrate economics with my total curriculum. This conference has provided some excellent options." Grade 6-8 teacher

"Thank you for this conference that allows teachers to learn about resources available, as well as provides the appropriate materials to teach economic lessons that give students practical experiences for life’s challenges!" Grade 9-12 teacher

"With the current state of the US economy, teaching the children the basic economic principles will enable them to be better citizens and have a brighter future. Thank you for the opportunity to attend." Grade 6-8 teacher

"Outstanding conference—practical ideas for the classroom. I’m leaving with lesson plans for Monday!" Grade 6-8 teacher.

"This was a great and insightful conference. I’m leaving with valuable curriculum as well as relevant and hands on materials." Grade 9-12 teacher

Virtual Economics (teacher training)

"I was hoping for practical uses in my classroom and am very pleased."

"Great CD to help utilize with lesson plans already made for you."

"There are just so many lessons I do not know where to begin."

"The VE CD-ROM is so crucially valuable for teaching students with differing needs."

"The content of the CD-ROM will greatly help in the classroom and appears to be very user friendly."

"I am thrilled to be able to search by grade level, content and standard. I am grateful that technology can help us work smarter not harder."

"Great, practical lessons for the classroom that will engage my students."

"Thank you for making this available!  It’s HARD to meet ISBE 3rd grade requirements and align lesson to standards when we don’t quite have the resources we need to do the best job readily available.  This makes the job EASY!" Third grade self-contained teacher.

"The Virtual Economics CD provided by the CEE includes so many lessons that reach across content areas, and it is very user-friendly!" High School geography, economics and psychology teacher.

Financial Fitness for Kids (teacher training)

"I can’t wait to start!"

"I am motivated to implement the lessons into my curriculum."

Jump$tart Teacher Conference

"WOW!  What an exciting day!  Thanks for all of the great economic information. I am looking forward to next year!"

"Worthwhile day packed with great information."

"Teaching financial literacy has changed the course of my students’ lives."

"Very important conference because it’s FREE—my school has NO FUNDING for conferences."