McDonagh and Leong win BoC Museum teaching award
Ethan McDonagh and Andrew Leong have won the Bank of Canada Museum's 2026 Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics. They were recognized for innovative lessons connecting economics to contemporary issues.
Real-world economics in the classroom
Ethan McDonagh and Andrew Leong received the Bank of Canada Museum's 2026 Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics.
They were selected from nominations across Canada for designing lessons that effectively link economic principles to contemporary issues.
Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki praised their approach, stating, "What impressed the selection committee was how intentionally these lessons were designed for real-world understanding.
" She highlighted that the learning was active, inquiry-based, and grounded in evidence, whether students were visualizing income distribution with beads or 'travelling' through global economies.
This emphasis on practical application and evidence-based learning defines great economics education.
Beads, passports, and policy choices
Ethan McDonagh, a Grade 6 educator, used coloured beads to visualize income distribution and fairness.
Students compared ideal income models with actual Canadian data, fostering discussions on basic needs.
Andrew Leong, a Grade 12 teacher, developed the 'Macroeconomic Venture Passport.'
This gamified project allows students to 'travel' through global economies, exploring real issues like AI's impact and Canada's 2 percent inflation target.
The approach connects abstract concepts to daily life.
Each winner receives a trophy, a $1,000 cash prize, and an additional $1,000 for their school.
Beyond textbooks, into relevance
These awards highlight the critical need for innovative economic education that transcends traditional textbook learning.
By engaging students with real-world data and contemporary challenges, McDonagh and Leong demonstrate how complex concepts can become relatable and impactful.
Their methods offer a valuable blueprint for fostering economic literacy and critical thinking.