I am joining Econiful on September 3rd for a conversation about the “Six Secret Econ Resources”. In preparation for the event, they asked me 10 questions. The questions cover where a high school teacher should start with Decode Econ, why he thinks personal finance and economics belong together, and what he’d say to a teacher walking into their first econ class.
Read the full Q&A and register for the event, both at the link in our bio. 4 to 5 PM PT / 7 to 8 PM ET.
When I Started
I started Decode Econ 6 years ago. At that time, I called it Econ With Dr. A. The goal was the same: to make economics relevant and accessible and to be a resource to educators and students. I truly believe economics explains the world, and everyone deserves a good understanding of it so they can improve their economic well-being.
I have learned a lot about teaching in public over the past six years. Decode Econ has also helped me improve my in-person teaching. I am happy to spend some time with you all on September 3rd talking about the work I lead and the team behind Decode Econ.
Questions Econiful Asked Me
You worked in the mortgage industry during the housing boom. Does that still show up in the way you teach?
What should teachers know about where an economics education leads?
Decode Econ is built on the idea that economics empowers people rather than intimidates them. Where does the intimidation come from, and how do you get past it?
Your programs emphasize community and learning alongside each other. What does a classroom look like when that is working?
Every Decode Econ piece ties the story back to the reader’s own decisions. How could that structure translate into the classroom?
How do you decide which stories are worth tackling from week to week?
High school economics often carries the personal finance load too. How does economics support personal finance education?
Where in Decode Econ should a high school teacher start?
What tools and data sources would you recommend to a high school teacher?
What would you say to a teacher on the morning of their first economics class?