Oregon Economics Teacher of the Year Award
The Oregon Council on Economic Education (OCEE) seeks to recognize educators in the state of Oregon who demonstrate excellence in the teaching of economics. This award promotes education in economics by honoring exceptional teachers who effectively convey economic ideas to their students, which will help them make responsible choices throughout their lives.
Award
- $500 Cash Award.
- Recognition by OCEE, including newsletters, website, social media, and mailings.
- Invitation to present at teaching workshops to share best practices.
- Automatic nomination by OCEE for the national John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Awards.
Eligibility
- This award is open to current K – 12 teachers from any public, private or parochial school in Oregon. Applicants must have taught at least one full term in the classroom during the current academic year. Teachers may self-nominate or be nominated by others.
- Teachers of all subjects are encouraged to apply for the award. Applicants must demonstrate how they integrate economics into their lessons for subject other than economics.
- Previous winners are not eligible for the Oregon award.
- Applicants who pursue the national award may be required to meet additional eligibility requirements.
Application
- Deadline
- Applications must be received by April 30th.
- Applicants will be notified of the results prior to the OCEE Annual Awards banquet. The award will be presented to the winner at the annual awards dinner.
- Selection Criteria
- Effectiveness: Applicants should provide examples of effective methods used to teach economic and/or financial topics.
- Commitment: Demonstrate a commitment to challenging and encouraging students to use economics not only in their education, but also in their lives beyond the classroom.
- Application Materials
- Cover Letter describing your approach to promoting economics and financial education in the classroom.
- An example lesson, student reflections or other materials that demonstrate effective teaching methods related to economics that were used for instruction. This could include materials related to the Stock Market Game or the Oregon Economics Challenge.
- A letter of recommendation from a teaching colleague, administrator, or former student.
- Please submit application materials by email as a PDF attachment to: contact@econoregon.org
2024 - 2025 Economics Teacher of the Year
Thomas Lefor, Westview High School, Beaverton, Oregon
Tom earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Communications from the University of Portland in 1990. In 1992, he spent two years serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the African country of Lesotho, where he worked as a teacher in the School Self Reliance Program, in Small Business Development, and for the Women in DevelopmentOrganization. Upon returning from Africa, he entered into the field of education and earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University and took his first teaching job in Condon, Oregon, where he taught Social Studies, Business, and served as the Future Business Leaders of America advisor for seven years. In 2004, Tom was hired at Westview High School, and is currently finishing his 28th year in education. Although he has taught nearly every Social Science course offered, his true passion in education is teaching Economics, a subject he has taught all 28 years of his career. Teaching AP Micro and Macroeconomics has afforded him with the honor of providing a practical, useful course that equips students with critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills to best prepare them to make informed decisions about career choices, personal finance, and the responsibility of civic engagement. As Mr. Lefor reminds his students, Economics is imbedded on the front page of the newspaper every day, and using real-world current events, case studies, and interactive activities like the stock market game help make the class come to life. His vision for the future is to continue to promote Economics and the importance of expanding economic education, awareness, and involvement in our schools and communities.
