Lance Suzuki, Maryknoll High School

An example of Lance's creativeness is his approach to teaching fiscal policy. In a three-week unit, students take the role of the President and Cabinet members, then through research prepare a budget for the U.S. Government. Students then present their budget in a State of the Union address to Congress and members of the media, represented by students in a U.S. history course. They scrutinize the budget asking various cabinet members to defend their budgets before it is finally approved. Once Congress has modified the administration budget proposal, it is sent to the President for signature or veto. During the whole process, students assemble a newspaper that is distributed to keep all participants informed of the events that are unfolding. Helping students experience diverse ways to fund projects, the students can better understand the interdependence between economics and government policy.

Lance's influence goes beyond the confines of the classroom. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Maryknoll Investment Club, the first high school investment club in Hawaii. He encouraged and coached his students in the Economics Challenge, where they are challenged by not only students from other schools but also themselves to test their knowledge of economics. Like their teacher, who has a degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College, a number of his students are now planning on majoring in economics.

His principal, Betsey Anthony Ramos said, "Mr. Suzuki holds his students to high standards while making the study of economics meaningful to their lives." And a former student said, "he motivates and guides his students on the path to success and is dedicated to the task of developing a student's full potential." We say he is an exemplary economics educator.