Since graduating from the MAEEE program, Matt Pierson, class of 2023, has stepped into an impactful role at the Nebraska Council on Economic Education as associate director, co-authoring an award-winning curriculum and presenting at national conferences. His work continues to expand the reach of economic education. He shared some of his recent accomplishments and some of the unique aspects of his MAEEE experience.
What exciting news or accomplishments have you been a part of?
After graduating, I took the associate director role at the Nebraska Council on Economic Education. Since then, I’ve presented at several conferences and won the NAEE Silver Award for the Ethics, Economics, and Social Issues curriculum I co-authored. I was also recognized by the Nebraska College of Business as a featured speaker at the 2024 CEE Conference.
Why is this news valuable to your colleagues or educators considering the MAEEE program?
I think this demonstrates how the MAEEE program can be a career changer. I transitioned from being a classroom teacher to now impacting thousands of teachers and students across the state. I get to help teachers who once struggled with economics and make a real difference in their professional lives.
What did you learn through your MAEEE experience that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
I learned the power of networking and how much incredible work is happening across the country in the economic education space. The program also gave me confidence in my economic knowledge and equipped me to develop that knowledge even further.
Describe an important connection you have made through your graduate program.
Through the MAEEE program, I connected with several educators across the country, including Patrick DeRosa (MAEEE ’23), who now works at the George Mason Center. We’ve collaborated on presentations since and built a lasting professional relationship.
What other opportunities have the MAEEE degree provided you?
The MAEEE degree has provided me with legitimacy in the economics education space that I couldn’t have gained as a high school teacher alone. It also connected me with a network of professionals who I can rely on and collaborate with nationally.
If you were to describe your classmates in one word, what would that be and why?
Dedicated. My classmates were all incredibly passionate about improving education and developing a deeper understanding of economics.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to current MAEEE students or prospective applicants?
Never underestimate the power of the network. You never know who you’re going to meet and how they might change the trajectory of your career.