JA Economic Literacy Professional Development (JA EconLit PD) provides teachers with professional development and classroom enrichment opportunities to prepare students to achieve personal financial sustainability and self-sufficiency. JA EconLit PD uses a three-pronged model in its professional development programs.
- University professors provide content and knowledge.
- Mentor teachers deliver the pedagogy with grade-appropriate lesson plans.
- Teachers walk away with high-quality instructional materials and hands-on activities for use with their students.
In addition to the accredited Saturday Seminar programs, JA EconLit PD offers a series of 1-hour virtual courses that cover a new Cool Tool or Hot Topic for classroom use.
Classes are open to all teachers throughout Colorado and Wyoming from public, private, charter, online, and home schools providing professional development programs for every grade level.
Click on the class links below for more information and to register.
Helpful Links
90% of participating teachers say the program was personally enriching and improved their knowledge of the subject
“I’ve taught for 28 years and this is the best class I’ve ever taken for teacher training.”
-Program Participant
“The presenters were wonderful, and the facility and hospitality extended were well worth the time and small fee invested.” -Program Participant
Accredited Programs: Saturday Seminars
The Economics of Immigration
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT)
This class is offered either in-person at the JA Free Enterprise Center (6500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO) or virtually. Those attending virtually will receive a separate email with the Zoom link to the meeting. Please read the participation guidelines.
Grades: Secondary Teacher Focus (ideal for teachers in grades 6-12, but all K-12 teachers are welcome)
Continuing Education Credit: Certificate for 7.5 hours
Optional Credit: ½ UCCS ECON 6310 Graduate Credit Hour, $50.
Faculty: Neal Rappaport, PhD
Mentor Teacher: Jason Bradley
Travel Stipend: $50 travel stipends are available for teachers traveling more than 75 miles one-way to attend the class
Includes: Light breakfast, lunch
The Economics of AI
Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT)
This class is offered either in-person at the JA Free Enterprise Center (6500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO) or virtually. Those attending virtually will receive a separate email with the Zoom link to the meeting. Please read the participation guidelines.
Grades: Secondary Teacher Focus (ideal for teachers in grades 6-12, but all K-12 teachers are welcome)
Continuing Education Credit: Certificate for 7.5 hours
Optional Credit: ½ UCCS ECON 6310 Graduate Credit Hour, $50.
Faculty: Kyle Montanio, PhD
Mentor Teacher: Katelyn Ryan
Travel Stipend: $50 travel stipends are available for teachers traveling more than 75 miles one-way to attend the class
Includes: Light breakfast, lunch
The Economic Forces in American History
Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT)
This class is offered either in-person at the JA Free Enterprise Center (6500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO) or virtually. Those attending virtually will receive a separate email with the Zoom link to the meeting. Please read the participation guidelines.
Grades: Secondary Teacher Focus (ideal for teachers in grades 6-12, but all K-12 teachers are welcome)
Continuing Education Credit: Certificate for 7.5 hours
Optional Credit: ½ UCCS ECON 6310 Graduate Credit Hour, $50.
Faculty: Kyle Montanio, PhD
Travel Stipend: $50 travel stipends are available for teachers traveling more than 75 miles one-way to attend the class
Includes: Light breakfast, lunch
Economic Fictions (and the Truths Behind Them)
Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT)
This class is offered either in-person at the JA Free Enterprise Center (6500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO) or virtually. Those attending virtually will receive a separate email with the Zoom link to the meeting. Please read the participation guidelines.
Grades: Secondary Teacher Focus (ideal for teachers in grades 6-12, but all K-12 teachers are welcome)
Continuing Education Credit: Certificate for 7.5 hours
Optional Credit: ½ UCCS ECON 6310 Graduate Credit Hour, $50.
Faculty: Dale DeBoer, PhD
Mentor Teacher: Marshall Moore
Travel Stipend: $50 travel stipends are available for teachers traveling more than 75 miles one-way to attend the class
Includes: Light breakfast, lunch
1-Hour Virtual Professional Development Sessions
Cool Tools & Hot Topics
Select Tuesdays 4 to 5 p.m. (MT), online
On select Tuesdays, we will present a new Tool or Topic for your classroom use.
- “Cool Tools” are techniques, teaching ideas, or programs to support K-12 teachers
- “Hot Topics” are interesting and relevant topics or discussions for your classroom, often distilled from our day-long professor-led classes
Please read the participation guidelines. Incentives offered to active K-12 educators and school district employees in Colorado and Wyoming:
- Attend 4 sessions in spring 2025 and receive a $25 Amazon gift card
- Attend 8 sessions in spring 2025 and receive a $50 Amazon gift card
