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SMHS’ Raymer named Economic Teacher of the Year

A sense of humor and a spirit of invention are cornerstones of the teaching style that helps Mike Raymer connect with students and has earned him the Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year award from the Georgia Council on Economic Education.

The Starr’s Mill High social studies teacher was presented with the award during the council’s annual meeting May 13 at the Carter Center. Raymer was one of two high school teachers receiving statewide recognition.

Raymer created “Alan Greenspan Day” to focus on the importance of the Federal Reserve and its chairman’s decisions. He uses simulations, role-playing and group competitions to help students grasp principles. He wrote a play in which students portray characters representing economic situations, such as a widow on Social Security and a striking longshoreman.

“They don’t realize they’re actually learning something,” Raymer noted. “But the play summarizes high school macroeconomics like no ordinary review sheet could.”

To teach inflation, Raymer dons a purple swami hat and lets students bid on objects from the “Bag of Mystery.” At the end of each round, he gives the students more money, allowing them to bid higher for the same objects.

“I could just give them the definition, but they’ll remember it better with an illustration,” said Raymer. “They start to make the connection between the classroom and the real world, and that’s what it’s all about for me.”

The Georgia Securities Association co-sponsors the teaching awards with the Georgia Council on Economic Education.