Stacia Paa, Kihei Elementary School

A year later, she moved to Maui. When she arrived on Maui there was very little economics being taught. Stacia continued to teach Mini-Society and shared her interest of economics with the teachers at Waihee Elementary. Her enthusiasm for economics was infectious for the following year, three teachers from Waihee attended a Mini-Society training on Oahu.

Today, Stacia is teaching a Kihei Elementary. Once again she took her interest in economics to her new school and has convinced her colleagues to attend a Mini-Society training on Maui this summer.

Stacia and another Maui teacher worked with Center director, Gail Tamaribuchi in developing the Maui Pineapple Company: A Case Study, an economics curriculum for fifth graders funded by the Maui Economic Development Board; and she was one of the teachers that piloted the project.

Stacia is an exemplary economics teacher who has integrated economic concepts in her classroom. Her work has introduced her many students to economic education. In addition to her work in the classroom, her influence on her colleagues to teach economics is impressive. As a cheerleader for economic education on Maui, she has participated and encouraged many teachers to attend economic education activities sponsored by MEDB. Jeanne Skog, President of MEDB, said, "Stacia's enthusiasm for teaching economics has be a cornerstone in the success of Maui's grassroots Economic Literacy Program"

In her application, Stacia said, "If you asked me five years go if I would be teaching economics, my answer would have been no. Today the word, 'economics' does not intimidate me. In fact, I have embraced all that it has done for me. It has changed the way I view my students, my own life, and the world. If someone asked me today, why I teach economics, my answer would be simple. I love doing it and it is fulfilling to see my students' take their understanding of economics back to their homes and share their knowledge with their families."