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O'Neill honored as economic education leader
4:59 p.m., Oct. 31, 2006--James B. O'Neill, UD professor of economics, recently received the John C. Schramm Leadership Award at the annual conference of the National Council on Economic Education, the National Association of Economic Educators and the Global Association of Teachers of Economics. O'Neill also is the director of UD's Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship (CEEE), and president of the Delaware Council on Economic Education. The award recognizes individuals “whose leadership has had an extraordinary positive impact at both the state and national levels.” The award citation states that O'Neill was honored for having “a vision of what economic education should be, and the courage to make his vision a reality.” One nominator praised O'Neill as an exemplar of Ralph Waldo Emerson's maxim, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” O'Neill was the first director of CEEE. Under his leadership, it grew into a well-funded and respected organization that is recognized in the state and the nation for its quality programs. O'Neill is recognized as the first person to employ field consultants to follow up with and support classroom teachers who participate in economic education classes at the center. The approach has been so successful that today many centers and councils for economic education have field consultants that reflect Delaware's model. As president of the Delaware Council on Economic Education, O'Neill is known for creating the master of degree program in economic education and entrepreneurship, which brings talented teachers together for two summers to work toward the degree. As part of the program, teachers return to their home states to promote and deliver economic education within their schools and districts and work with local centers and councils. The program provides teachers with content in economics and skills to serve as catalysts for promoting economic education in grades K-12. Close to 300 teachers from across the nation and recently from other countries have pursued the degree. One person who nominated O'Neill for the award said he has “left a cadre of economic evangelists in his wake....Hundreds of thousands of students benefit from the work of these graduates. After 35 years in economic education, Jim has not lost his enthusiasm for our mission. He continues to promote economic literacy with a passion that has never wavered.” The award is named for John C. Schramm, who provided national leadership in economic education that serves as a model for state councils and centers for economic education. Article by Beth Thomas |
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