3M Economic Educator Excellence Awards
If you would like more information on the following winners, please call the Minnesota Council at 612-625-3727.

2009 Winner

William T. (Billy) James
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Secondary School
Billy James Remarks from EconFest 2009

Billy James has a passion for teaching economics and personal finance. Mr. James has built enthusiasm and interest in economics at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (LCWM) Secondary School during his seven years of teaching. He has made economics important aspects of the school’s curriculum by including the academic standards for economics in his business education courses.

Mr. James’ commitment to excellence in teaching economics extends beyond his classroom. In his capacity as coach of the school’s Academic Decathlon team, he contributes to student achievement by providing students the opportunity to participate in various activities and challenges. Under his guidance his students learn how to study, deliver a speech, write an essay, and conduct an academic discussion. His students annually receive medals in these competitions and his teams have won six state championships.

With respect to economics and personal finance, Mr. James has successfully encouraged his students to participate in MCEE’s Economics Challenge and Personal Finance Decathlon. His teams have earned a place at the state Economics Challenge on seven occasions, and in 2009 his team took second place in the small school division. In the inaugural year of the Personal Finance Decathlon in 2008, his team earned a trip to the state championship and received third place. In 2009 his team took first place, defeating the defending state champions.

“I feel that it is my duty to pass on the love and understanding I gained for economics at Minnesota State University, Mankato. … Economics is one of the most fundamental topics, and I feel students who gain knowledge of economics become well-rounded individuals. … I take pride in the fact I have helped students achieve things that they thought were beyond their own perceived potential.”

2008 Winner

Ethan Cherin
St. Paul Central High School

Ethan Cherin has been teaching Social Studies for the last eight years and has a passion for teaching economics. Cherin’s commitment to excellence in economics education extends beyond the walls of his classroom. “I understand my mission as a teacher is helping my students become the interesting, literate, and humane adults I would enjoy interacting with as neighbors and fellow citizens.”

He has demonstrated leadership by serving as the Social Studies Department Co-Chair (2004-2008) at Central High School, as a Curriculum Consultant for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and by participating in professional organizations such as the Minnesota Social Studies Quality Teacher Network and the Global Association of Teachers in Economics (founding member). Additionally, he was one of 12 American classroom educators selected to participate in a National Council on Economic Education study tour to Russia to enhance understanding among U.S. teachers of the issues facing countries undergoing economic transition.

The Minnesota Council is not alone in recognizing Cherin’s outstanding contributions. He has been voted as “One of Central’s Top Ten Staff” by five graduating classes since 2003, and has been celebrated as an educator “Dedicated to Excellence” within his district for the last four consecutive years.

2007 Winner

Nancy Krenner
Red Rock Elementary School, So. Washington County

Twelve years into her teaching career Nancy Krenner was sold on economics education. In 1997, following her first MN Council workshop, she saw the excitement and eagerness to learn in her students, when they created their own classroom economy and mini-society. Motivated by her fifth graders' enthusiasm to learn economics, Ms. Krenner advanced her own education, earning a master's degree from St. Mary's University with an emphasis in economic literacy and entrepreneurial leadership.

Her dedication to economic literacy has made a big impact on her students. One of Ms. Krenner's former students recently informed her that he was about to enter college and major in economics!

Ms. Krenner is a leader, providing instruction in Council programs and encouragement to other elementary school educators. She is widely recognized for her innovation and excellence in teaching. In 2001 she received the 3M Innovative Economic Educator Award. In 2004 she received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award and in 2006 was named Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the MN Council for the Social Studies.

2006 Winner

Scott Wolla
Hibbing High School

Mr. Wolla, a social studies teacher at Hibbing High School since 1996, inspires his students to achieve and provides opportunities for them to demonstrate their academic excellence. He is an exceptional example of a classroom educator who is implementing innovative teaching strategies and raising student achievement.

Mr. Wolla routinely encourages — and then rigorously prepares — his students to participate in programs that test their economic understanding. In May 2006, his team captured first-place in the national Economics Challenge competition in New York City. Mr. Wolla’s teams have been to nationals twice before, in 2004 when they placed third in the competition and last year when they took home second place. At the Minnesota Global Food Challenge, where students demonstrate their research and writing skills as well as their ability to analyze an economic issue, Mr. Wolla’s students took first and second places in 2005 with their projects on the economics of food safety.

Mr. Wolla has also made numerous contributions to the profession both at home and abroad. Two years ago, for example, Mr. Wolla was one of twelve teachers from the United States selected to participate in a National Council on Economic Education study tour to Russia. During this trip he shared teaching methods with Russian educators. On several occasions, Mr. Wolla has assisted in developing new curriculum for teacher use throughout the U.S. by reviewing, authoring, and piloting new materials.

Mr Wolla has received previous awards for his innovation and leadership. In 2003, Mr. Wolla received the 3M Innovative Economic Educator Award. In 2004, he was a finalist for a national NCEE Economics Teaching Award and earlier this year Mr. Wolla was named High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies.

2005 Winner

David Stark
Brainerd High School

The Economic Educator Excellence Award recognizes sustained commitment, leadership and achievement in economic education. No teacher is more deserving of this award than David Stark, who has been a champion for economic education since he began teaching at Brainerd High School in 1982.

Stark has long believed in making economic concepts real to his students. He combined economic theory and experiential learning with the Economics Club, which managed Brainerd High School's vending machines. As members of this club, his students gained hands-on experience operating a business. They donated to school and community organizations and used profits to help fund class trips to Washington, D.C., New York, Europe, and China.

Stark also coaches his students for competition in Economics Challenge. This year his team placed first in the Adam Smith Division of the Minnesota state competition, and went on to take third place honors at the national competition in New York.

In 1994, Brainerd High School was voting to eliminate economics as a graduation requirement. Stark responded by using newspaper articles to illustrate to his colleagues how students' future success is directly tied to their understanding of basic economic principles. Bravo, Mr. Stark!

2004 Winner

Gail Colbert
Tartan High School

Gail began her teaching career as a U.S. history teacher in Delaware. As she realized the importance of economics in understanding historical trends, she enrolled in economic education classes offered by the Delaware Center for Economic Education (DCEE). Before long, she earned an M.A. in economic education and became the program coordinator for the DCEE. In that position, Gail conducted workshops for K-12 teachers and developed curriculum.

In 1996, Gail moved to Minnesota and began teaching economics at Tartan High School, where she is the chair of the social studies department. This past year she led the economics team in developing a web site that contains valuable assistance for students, including lecture notes, practice quizzes, and test overviews. Gail's leadership and innovations are recognized by colleagues and students alike. The Minnesota Council recognized her innovative accomplishments in 1999 when she received an Innovative Economic Educator award for her lesson on capital formation.

A former student admitted that she had not been interested in economics, but had agreed to take an advanced placement course with Ms. Colbert. She enjoyed the course so much that now, as a junior in college, she is minoring in economics. She acknowledged that Ms. Colbert “truly helped shape the future of my life.”

2003 Winner

Loren Dunham
Fairmont High School

Loren, who teaches at Fairmont High School, has been an economics educator since 1968. In those years, he has made a significant impact on his students' understanding of economics. His Economics Challenge teams have won their regional competitions for many years. In 2002, the second year Economics Challenge was a national competition, his team went all the way to become the National Champions.

His enthusiasm for his subject is contagious. Many of his students have pursued economics and business courses in higher education, but two of his students specifically wanted us to know that their decisions to become economics majors were a direct result of their experiences in Mr. Dunham's classroom.

They pointed out that Loren's contacts in their community led to greater support for the economics curriculum in their school. His community activities, particularly with the Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement, have resulted in classroom programs by local financial and business leaders.

We are honored to present the 3M Economic Educator Excellence Award to Loren for his outstanding accomplishments in teaching economics.

2002 Winner

Patricia A. Sheehan
Maple Grove High School

Pat, who teaches at Maple Grove High School, has been an economics educator since 1977. Her interests and expertise are very broad. She holds a Master's degree in Business administration from Washington State University and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. Her degree concentration was on interdisciplinary education with an international perspective, which served her well when she took leave to teach for a year in the American Community School in Athens, Greece.

Pat is always looking for interesting and compelling ways to engage her students. She coaches them in many competitions and has had winners in the Federal Reserve Essay Contest, Commodity Challenge, and Economics Challenge. She is the co-author of an assessment package used throughout the Osseo Area Schools to meet graduation requirements in economics. This past year, she created a web-based Advanced Microeconomics class of 43 lessons that can be undertaken during the school day, or completed outside of regular school hours.

Pat's teaching excellence is widely recognized. Her teaching approach has been described by colleagues as "scholarly and creative." In 1999, she received the High School Teacher of the Year Award from the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies. The Minnesota Council on Economic Education is very pleased to recognize Pat's outstanding achievements in teaching economics with the 3M Economic Educator Excellence Award.

2001 Winner

Susan J. Berg
North High School--North St. Paul

Sue has taught at North High School in North St. Paul for 21 years, and in that time has made a significant impact on economic education in her district. To complete her master's degree requirements she developed a ninth grade economics curriculum, which was then adopted by both high schools in the North St. Paul-Maplewood school district. Over the years she has updated and refined the curriculum, and most recently she developed assessment packages to meet the Economic Systems graduation requirements. These assessment packages, shared with other teachers at Minnesota Council workshops, have now been adopted by six other districts in the state.

A former student credited Sue's passion and dedication to teaching economics as the major influence motivating her to attain a degree in economics and to become an economic educator herself. This former student is now a colleague. She described Sue's teaching as innovative, offering a wide variety of learning activities that make economics relevant, interesting, challenging, and fun.

Sue's more recent students also agree. She was selected as the seniors' "best teacher" in 2000, and economics was named their second favorite subject. Sue's district holds an annual banquet to honor students who rank in the top 10% of their class. Each student is asked to bring the teacher who has made the most impact on his/her life. Each year since the inception of the banquet, Sue has been invited to accompany a student.

Ten years ago Sue received a grant from the National Science Foundation to participate in an advanced placement seminar in economics. Since that time she has taught advanced placement macro and microeconomics and served as a reader for advanced placement exams administered by Educational Testing Services. Among her own students this past year, 92% passed the national microeconomics exam and received college credit.

Sue believes that mentoring new economics teachers is an important part of her job, and many colleagues who have received her attention credit Sue's support and encouragement with improving their teaching abilities and skills. As one colleague said, "Her commitment to my personal development as an economic educator has made a tremendous impact on the quality of my teaching." The Minnesota Council is pleased to present the 3M Economic Educator Excellence Award to such a dedicated educator.

2000 Winner

Michael J. Roe
White Bear Lake High School

Mike has taught in the White Bear Lake school district for 34 years. Economics was not offered as a class when he began teaching. In 1982 Mike introduced the first economics class, which was offered to increase enrollment in the social studies program on the North Campus (9th and 10th grades) of the high school.

Growth followed quickly. When the Advanced Placement Economics program was developed by the College Board, White Bear offered AP Microeconomics. The introductory economics course became a prerequisite for the AP classes and today 14 sections of introductory economics are offered. In 1997 Macroeconomics was added to the Advanced Placement curricula and now seven sections of Micro and Macro exist. Through the years Mike has been, almost without exception, the only instructor teaching the AP Economics program. His students have performed very well, with over 300 students earning college credit - 95% of these are 9th graders.

Mike's students participate in many other activities, including Economics Challenge and Commodity Challenge. Each year, his students place in the large school division of the regional Economics Challenge at the University of St. Thomas. The last three years his teams finished first at the Federal Reserve District playoff competition. Mike's students have won or placed among the top three finalists in the statewide Commodity Challenge essay competition over the past few years.

Mike is the first to admit that he finds economics difficult and has used a wide range of resources to enhance his understanding and skills in teaching economics. Throughout his teaching career he attended workshops, classes, and conferences offered in Minnesota and other states. He attributes much of his success to the support and assistance he received from the network of the Minnesota Council on Economic Education.

The parents of one of Mike's students commented in amazement that their daughter enjoyed the after-school review sessions and hard hours of preparation for AP testing and Economics Challenge competition. "We believe that our daughter's experience of economics under Mr. Roe's tutelage truly empowered her to have greater confidence in her ability to learn and persevere, and reinforced for her the idea that one can find satisfaction in working hard to discover the interesting things inherent in all topics."

The Minnesota Council on Economic Education is honored to present the 3M Economic Educator Excellence Award to such an accomplished and dedicated educator.

1999 Winner

Dan S. Marsh
Edina High School

Dan began teaching at Edina High School in 1970, a time when the senior social studies course did not include economics. Dan wrote an economics component, subsequently adopted by the social studies department, and embarked on his distinguished career teaching economics to high school students. Additional education allowed him to also teach college-level economics at the University of St. Thomas and Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Training at St. Olaf College led to Dan's creation of an Advanced Placement curriculum in economics, which he currently teaches. He also assisted colleagues in the Robbinsdale Public Schools in their creation of the first AP economics class in that district.

In 1997-98 Dan designed a project to meet the new state graduation standards, which had a wide-ranging impact. Applying principles of supply, demand, elasticity, and consumer theory, students attempted to solve the problem of too few parking spaces at Edina High School. Their solutions of selling permits to car pools and increasing permit prices were adopted as district policy by the School Board.

The proof of Dan's effective teaching is in the performance of his students. Over 90% of his students taking micro and macroeconomics AP tests have passed with scores of 3, 4, or 5. His Economics Challenge teams routinely win first place in their regional competitions and for the last two years have also taken first in the Ninth Federal Reserve District play-off. His classes have produced two first place winners in the Federal Reserve Essay Contest. His students have also won the "Stock Market Game" and established successful business enterprises.

The 3M Economic Educator Excellence Award is a newly created award to recognize teachers who have a sustained history of commitment and contribution to economic education. The Minnesota Council is honored to recognize Dan as its first recipient. To quote a recommendation supporting his nomination, "Dan Marsh is, in short, a truly professional teacher of the highest caliber. He is liked and admired by the staff, but most of all, he is respected as an outstanding teacher by the thousands of students he has taught through the years at Edina High School."