Economics for Teachers

Barbara Gray, a Thomas R. Brown Foundation trustee and an extraordinary leader in economic education, passed away on July 5, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and excellence.

Barbara began her career in education, later enhancing her expertise with both a JD and an advanced degree in educational leadership. For many years, Barbara taught Advanced Placement courses in economics and political science at University High School in Tucson. Not only was she admired by students and colleagues for her exceptional teaching talent, she was also recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar Educator and a Flinn Foundation Outstanding Educator. 

In 2011, she became the Director of Educator Programs at the Thomas R. Brown Foundation (TRBF), where she played a pivotal role in developing the Foundation's strategic vision for strengthening economic education in Arizona. Under Barbara’s leadership, TRBF dramatically ramped up the number of teacher training workshops offered each year, significantly benefiting K-12 educators and students across Arizona. Her innovative spirit led to the creation of unique professional development programs, including an enduring economics book club and public events aimed at enhancing economic literacy. She recognized the value of Voices on the Economy and urged its founder to develop a teacher training program and a free online textbook, providing her invaluable support and counsel along the way. 

Even after retiring as the Director of Educator Programs at the end of 2019, Barbara continued to champion economic education as a TRBF board member, using her sharp mind and deep experience to further elevate the Foundation's work. In both her roles at TRBF, Barbara mentored many teacher leaders, creating a powerful multiplier effect and ensuring her unwavering commitment to advancing economic education will be felt for years to come. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Barbara will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, principled nature, remarkable intelligence, and robust intellectual curiosity.

Professional Development

Grades 6+

Economic Education Partners

Arizona Council on Economic Education

The Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) offers a variety of economics education and personal finance programs throughout Arizona. 

Voices on the Economy (VOTE)

VOTE is a nationally recognized innovative curriculum for teachers and college students developed by Dr. Amy Cramer. Dr. Cramer teaches the VOTE curriculum at Pima Community College in Tucson. A PDF of the VOTE Textbook is available online at no cost.

What happened to TRBF economic education programs?

Nearly 20 years ago the Thomas R. Brown Foundation (TRBF) began offering economics-focused professional development programs to K-12 educators in Southern Arizona. Over that time we have dramatically increased the number and variety of our offerings. In the midst of the pandemic we, like educators around the world, went virtual. The new PD delivery methods we adopted make it possible for us to reach a more geographically diverse audience.

While TRBF is a name that is meaningful to Southern Arizonans and to educators who have participated in our workshops, it doesn’t quickly communicate our mission in economics education to those we have not yet served. To better connect with economic educators around the country (and beyond), we adopted a new name and fresh look with Econiful. The University of Arizona Office of Economic Education has shifted its primary focus to elementary educators in Arizona.

We will continue to honor the life and work of Tom Brown by developing and delivering high-quality virtual professional development programs for educators at no monetary cost to our attendees.

The Brown Foundations seek to advance the use of economic principles in public and private decision making through strategic partnerships and educational programs. Our program goal is to equip teachers to increase student exposure to fundamental principles of economics in a neutral and nonpartisan way, and to help students develop an appreciation of how economic analysis applies to everyday choices as well as business and policy issues.