Stephen F. Austin State University

Public school teaches from throughout the East Texas area — and one teacher from Hawaii — convened at Stephen F. Austin this week for an economic education workshop.

David Pruitt, program coordinator for the Texas Council on Economic Education, was the presenter for the experience-based program called “Mini-Society.” Mini-Society is a nationally recognized program for teaching economics and Entrepreneurship in the classroom, according to the Web site economicstexas.org. Students create their own micro-economy in the classroom and learn about basic entrepreneurship. Dr. Marilyn Kourilsky, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, created the program and authored a book about the concept.

“Most teachers get through college with little economic training at all,” Pruitt said. “Economics tends to be a subject that is overlooked. Teachers have fun at this seminar, because it’s a great common-sense approach to teaching economics. It’s fun for them and the students.”

Teachers establish their own mini-societies as part of the training, Pruitt said. They develop their own currency, name their community and accept different responsibilities in their society.

Phyllis Gilbert, lecturer in the department of Human Sciences, said the first three days of the workshop were geared for third- through sixth-grade teachers. The final two days of the workshop were for educators who teach older students.

“The teachers were able to learn how to incorporate this in the classroom with their students,” she said. “The teachers were the students this week, going through all the principles of the program. They also received a lot of materials.”

Gilbert said one teacher came from Hawaii to attend the workshop, one came from the Austin area, and the rest were from East Texas schools.

Phyllis Upshaw, who teaches third grade at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary in Nacogdoches, said the workshop was very hands-on.

“These are the kinds of activities that provide students a sense of ownership,” she said. “They can buy and trade, earn money and hold positions of leadership.”

Gloria Swindle, a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher for Tehana, said students could develop their own business plans and apply and interview for jobs.

Alice Rogers, who currently works as a substitute teacher, said she is glad to know that the program can be implemented with students as young as third grade.

“They can start thinking outside the box at a young age,” she said. “Although this is geared for social studies, you can also tie in language arts, math and even science. It’s fun, it’s interesting, and it kept us going all week. It was a great learning experience.”

Pruitt said teachers who implement mini society in their classrooms will find all sorts of “teachable moments.” Pruitt said economic and entrepreneurship mini-society classes are offered in all 50 states.