With much gratitude for your abiding partnership in this mission, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and prosperous New Year!

Carlos J. Asarta

When applying to be a part of the MAEEE program, I had no idea how the experience would affect my life. As an elementary teacher, I was excited to bring economics and entrepreneurship into my classroom. My MAEEE studies gave me the content knowledge and application strategies to more effectively reach my fourth graders. Required to write and implement a project to share economics in our own communities, I chose to focus on a program designed by Marilyn Kourilsky called Mini-Society. As a teacher in a co-taught classroom (composed of general education and special education students), I was amazed at the impact it had on my students.

 

Mini-Society has proven itself to be a learning experience that offers all children the opportunity to be successful. Students experience problem solving and a sense of responsibility that prepare them for success in the 21st century. Those who typically struggle with more traditional math and reading lessons are encouraged to completely engage, coming up with their own ideas for businesses and taking ownership for their venture's success.

For me, Mini-Society is my favorite time of year. I look forward to it and the students never forget it. I was sitting at dinner one day last summer and I looked over and saw a young girl pointing and saying, "That's the Mini-Society teacher!" I will forever be grateful to the CEEE and MAEEE for sponsoring such teacher training programs and for the overall focus, direction and opportunities they provide.

 

The training I received from my studies in the UD MAEEE program has been invaluable in preparing me for both  challenges in the classroom and developing professional programs for my colleagues. My methods of communication and assessment have improved remarkably. I have grown much more perceptive in gauging the needs of my students and then sharing those ideas with fellow teachers to enhance their competence.

My confidence has broadened the realm of possibilities as I've found connections in literature, history, and technology that deliver content in differentiated ways. In my classes, students learn about the economic impact of a horse epizootic on 19th Century America. They relate to the trials and tribulations of a young 12 year old entrepreneur in his new lawn business. Most recently, I have addressed the dearth of personal finance content in Florida schools by creating a blended course that I offer to ninth graders. Students are instructed by me on subjects ranging from good economic decision making to credit and investing and apply what they've learned through the myriad of fantastic resources on-line. These curriculum options are then modeled in teacher workshops and the multiplier effect begins.

My personal growth and the benefits it brings to my students and colleagues come as a direct result of the foundation I received under the guidance of my MAEEE instruction at UD.