E.L.I.T.E. Conference brings educators together for economics professional learning
October 5, 2026
Middle and high school educators from across the Southeast gathered on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Greenville for the inaugural E.L.I.T.E. Conference: Excellence in Learning, Instruction, and Teaching Economics.
The no-cost, one-day conference provided educators with high-quality economics content, classroom-ready instructional strategies, and practical resources to support student learning. Through concurrent sessions led by local, state, and national economic education organizations, participants explored ways to strengthen economics instruction and make real-world concepts meaningful and relevant for students.
The conference was led by the South Carolina Council on Economic Education (SC Economics) in partnership with national providers of engaging, hands-on economics content and curriculum, including the Council on Economic Education, Econiful, Federal Reserve Education, Foundation for Economic Education, Foundation for Teaching Economics, Izzit, and other economic education organizations.
“Economics teachers are often the only educators in their schools teaching this critical subject, and that can feel isolating,” said Chandler Jordan, Executive Director of SC Economics. “The E.L.I.T.E. Conference created a community where teachers could connect with peers, learn from experts, and leave feeling empowered with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to help students understand the economic forces shaping their futures.”
Participants could earn up to six hours of professional development credit, network with fellow educators and economic education experts, and access new resources for teaching economics across grade levels and subject areas.
SC Economics extends its sincere appreciation to presenting sponsor First Citizens Bank and the many partners whose support made this professional learning opportunity possible.
By investing in educators, the E.L.I.T.E. Conference will have an impact far beyond the event itself, helping teachers equip students to understand how markets work, how decisions are made, and how economics shapes the world around them.
About the South Carolina Council on Economic Education
The South Carolina Council on Economic Education (SC Economics) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering K–12 educators with high-quality professional development and classroom resources in economics and personal finance. Through partnerships with business, industry, and education leaders, SC Economics helps prepare South Carolina students to become financially capable citizens and career-ready members of tomorrow’s workforce. Learn more at www.sceconomics.org.
