Role of Administration, Faculty and Staff,
and Community Partners

Administrators

The importance of the administration’s leadership in the success of a school-wide economic literacy program cannot be overstated. The lead teacher can handle the details, but the administration must see the big picture and provide the encouragement and accountability that a new initiative requires.

Any new initiative will greeted enthusiasm by some and resistance by other members of the faculty and staff. It is the role of the administration to understand and explain the benefits of the Economic Literacy Infusion Model to the teachers who will be implementing it and support the lead teacher by providing accountability procedures and incentives for the teachers to comply with the requirements of the program.

The administration must also convey that ensuring economic and financial literacy for all students is a commitment and priority by providing enough time for training and program development, and discovering and nurturing community partnerships that will enhance and sustain the program.

Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the economic literacy model. What happens in the classrooms will ultimately determine the success or failure of the initiative. Because most people’s exposure to formal economics is limited, it is critical that teachers fully participate in the training in order to gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to analyze their curriculum and frequently and fluently incorporate economic concepts and principles into their lessons.  A lead teacher will be assigned to carry out the implementation of the program and teacher mentors will assist the lead teacher and work with faculty and staff.

Community Partners

Having a school model that includes comprehensive training in economic and financial literacy for teachers and students is very attractive to businesses and financial institutions that are committed to those same goals for their communities and have resources available to reach them. Partnerships can be created with these institutions which will provide schools with business mentors, job shadowing and internships opportunities, educational materials, and possible funding or other resources for student businesses and program incentives.