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Teacher Spotlight

Recognizing Superior Educators For Innovation In The Classroom

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Patrick Curran

Terry Parker High School

(Pictured: Pat Curran, right, with Charlie Harper, longtime director for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Miami)

The FCEE is excited to recognize Patrick Curran from Duval County Public Schools as this quarter’s Teacher Spotlight. As a long-time participant at professional development workshops at the Center for Economic and Financial Education at FSCJ and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – Jacksonville Branch Pat has helped shape and advocated for personal finance education for nearly his entire teaching career. Pat was the recipient of the Charles C. Harper Economic Educators of the Year award and frequently assists with editing curriculum, including Financial Freedom. From 2013-2019 Pat visited Tallahassee multiple times in support of passing the Personal Financial Literacy Course – which is now offered statewide. We appreciate your commitment to service to your students and teachers across the state. Congratulations, Pat!


SchoolTerry Parker High School

School DistrictDuval

SubjectEconomics, United States Government

Grade Level: 12

Number of Years Teaching: 41.75

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher? Not long after graduating from high school.

If you weren’t teaching what would you do? Since I’m retiring in June of 2022, I’ve been working on my woodworking skills.

What’s your favorite topic to teach? Financial literacy. I think that is the most useful set of skills any Economics teacher can teach.

What’s the hardest topic to teach? For me, it’s absolute and comparative advantage. I mix them up constantly. My AP Economics students use to give me a hard time when I had it on the wall of my room so I wouldn’t mess it up.

Why do you think Economics and Personal Finance are important to learn? They are life long skills. If you can understand what is going on with the economy and adjust your finances accordingly, you stand a better chance of meeting your financial goals.

How has the FCEE impacted your teaching? I moved to Florida in August 1987 as an American History teacher. The Center for Economics Education at the University of North Florida, especially Mollie Lawrence, provided me with the skills and content to become an economics teacher.

What’s your favorite FCEE resource or program? Stock Market Challenge. I enjoy watching the students have to live with the choices they make.

What advice would you give to a first-year economics or personal finance teacher? Know your stuff. Learn the content. Don’t be afraid to try different lessons. Keep your bias out of it.

What do you like to do for fun outside of school? I’ve been doing a lot of house renovations since the lockdown started in March. To me, I have fun doing it because it gives me a mental break.

What’s one thing your students may not know about you? That I co-wrote Economics: Destination Jaxport about 15 years ago with Mary Chowenhill. I’m still using the Derived Demand and International Trade lessons.