Patrick DeRosa, MAEEE Class of 2023, is the senior director of professional development for the Virginia Council on Economic Education and associate director of the Center for Economic Education at George Mason University. Since graduating from the University of Delaware’s MAEEE program, he has advanced economic and financial education across Virginia, presenting at national conferences and collaborating with organizations like Econiful. DeRosa’s work continues to expand the reach of economic education and inspire educators to bring economics to life in their classrooms.
What is your job title and name of school, district, or organization?
Senior Director of Professional Development – Virginia Council on Economic Education, Associate Director Center for Economic Education – George Mason University
What exciting news or accomplishments have you been a part of?
After graduating I took my job at the George Mason University Center for Economic Education, which is part of the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE). Recently, I have also taken on the role of senior director of professional development with VCEE, helping to impact economic and financial education across the entire state. While in my new role(s) I have had the opportunity to present at the National CEE conference as well as the NAEE (national network) conference. I’ve worked with the amazing group Econiful, both as an Econiful Ambassador and a workshop presenter.
Why is this news valuable to your colleagues or educators considering the MAEEE program?
While the MAEEE program is not the only way into the network, it truly helps to open many doors. I routinely meet people in the network who are graduates of the program and being able to say I am an MAEEE grad carries some weight. Additionally, the presenters for the workshops are often network superstars who you can learn a lot from and make fantastic connections.
What did you learn through your MAEEE experience that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
The importance of economic education and the reason our network exists. The content and skills learned were important, but learning from those in the network truly helped me understand why economic education is invaluable. When I graduated, I felt empowered and inspired to join the network and expand the multiplier effect.
Describe an important connection you have made through your graduate program (personal, professional, peers, mentors, professors, etc.)
I am so thankful for the people I met through the MAEEE program. Carlos Asarta and Bonnie Meszaros are amazing mentors. Jamie Wager and Andrew Hill are two superstars I connected with after they presented for us. But the best connection I made was Matt Pierson from Nebraska. We became friends towards the end of the program and both left the classroom at the same time to enter the Economic Education network (him with the Nebraska Council and me with the Virginia Council). We talk often, routinely bouncing ideas off of one another and I consider him one of my closest friends within the network.
What other opportunities has the MAEEE degree provided you?
The degree provided me the opportunity to further work with the secondary education program at George Mason University and help educate future social studies teachers.
If you were to describe your classmates in one word, what would that be and why?
Engaged. Even though we had never been in person before, when we got on campus for the second summer, it felt like we already knew each other really well. Being able to create such a tight-knit group over Zoom was fantastic as we were active in chats and virtual study groups.
Fill in this sentence: “The MAEEE graduate program helped me become…”
More confident in myself as an economic educator. I was able to apply what I learned directly in my classroom, helping me become a more effective teacher. That’s carried over to my new role where I feel confident in what I am presenting and talking about.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to current MAEEE students or prospective applicants?
I would encourage current MAEEE students to make your implementation project something you truly want to do, not just what you think the advisors would like or something that might be easy. The program is going to be difficult at times and you might feel overwhelmed, but if you truly love your idea you are going to be inspired to push through. I still use components of my implementation plan every month and I’m happy I put in the work while I was in the program. I would encourage prospective students to reach out to their state council or a local economic education center. Now on the other side, I can promise you that we would love to work with you throughout your whole MAEEE program!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I was recently elected to the National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE) executive board as a center representative.