Economics Arkansas, an educational nonprofit organization that promotes economic literacy in Arkansas, is ensuring teachers and students in grades preK – 12 across the state continue to receive professional development training and ready-to-use resources during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Thanks to technology and the resourcefulness of our staff and extended network of educational partners, we have not missed a beat serving Arkansas teachers and students,” said Kathleen Lawson, Economics Arkansas executive director. “In the 58-year history of our organization, we have retooled repeatedly to anticipate the evolving nature of education; in the age of Covid-19, it’s all about bringing resources to the frontline.”
The organization trains approximately 3,000 teachers each year through a variety of face-to-face, project-based workshops. However, all training is being offered online to accommodate remote learning.
Economics Arkansas is launching a pilot program in early to mid-April in which Elementary school students in the school districts of Mount Ida, Horatio, and South Pike will receive “Sammy’s Big Dream” coloring books and crayons when they pick up their take-home meals provided by their school district or community
Their website has a variety of educational activities to do at home like creating a savings bank as part of April Financial Literacy Month. Families are encouraged to design and create a savings bank and submit a photo of their design. A Facebook contest will be held to determine the winning family who will earn a gift certificate to their favorite pizza restaurant. Last year, the winning family made a savings bank shaped like a llama with cotton balls. More about the contest can be found here. Its Facebook page offers additional short quizzes and bingo games as well as book giveaways.
There are also innovative webinars and webcasts on their website with well-known speakers such as Sarah Catherine Gutierrez of Aptus Financial and the Save10 Movement, Dr. David Rankin of Southern Arkansas University, as well as zoo educators and live animals from the Little Rock Zoo.
“In the midst of the current economic turmoil, it’s evident that citizens need to understand economic and personal finance issues,” said Lawson. “Economics Arkansas is using its decades of success in teaching these subjects to ensure that teachers, students and parents have continued access to approachable, plug-and-play content.”
Webinar listings, educational resources and more information about Economics Arkansas are available at www.economicsarkansas.org.
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