West Chicago economics teacher receives award
West Chicago Community High School teacher Candace Fikis will be recognized this fall with the 3M Outstanding Economic Educator Award.
Sponsored by 3M and Econ Illinois, the award honors educators who have a sustained history of commitment to economic education by providing leadership for economics in their school or the community, showing evidence of professional growth in economic education, and having impacted student achievement or growth in economic understanding.
Econ Illinois surprised Fikis with a visit and announcement of her award in front her students on Sept. 14.
Fikis, who teaches social studies and economics, has a rich understanding of economics and personal finance, and uses her knowledge to interest students in the world around them.
She was hired to revive the economics department at West Chicago Community High School, and Fikis has built demand for the economics coursework and gained approval to expand the course offerings by creating an AP macroeconomics course. She is currently working to gain approval for an AP Microeconomics course for the 2016-17 school year.
Fikis uses her passion and expertise to engage her students in competitions and activity-based learning. This past year, four of her students earned first place in the Illinois Personal Finance Challenge, advancing to represent Illinois in the National Personal Finance Challenge.
She is always looking to attend conferences and professional development offerings when not presenting to other teachers herself.
Fikis engages her students through a variety of real world experiences, such as creating an open-outcry pit to simulate the trading that once occurred on the floor of the Board of Trade. She said her students' comprehension of the trading markets skyrocketed with that experience.
Her professionalism and passion has extended beyond her classroom as well. A year ago she won a scholarship to attend the national Jumpstart Conference in Los Angeles, which broadened her network of colleagues, provided a wealth of content and resources, and showcased how she could integrate technology to expand the teaching of economics. Technology and integration has become a new focus for her professionally.
"This award is given to educators who have sustained a history of contribution and commitment to economic education through their leadership, professional growth, and achievement of their students," Principal Moses Cheng said.
"Ms. Fikis has demonstrated all those attributes through her teaching in economics and AP economics, as well as in her coaching of WeGo's Illinois Personal Finance Challenge team to a state championship last year.
"Ms. Fikis' skill in teaching economic and financial literacy in and out of the classroom has greatly benefitted our students and makes her a worthy recipient of this award."
The award will be presented at the Econ Illinois annual Economic Education Day and 3M Educator Awards Luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Fikis will receive a plaque, cash award and specialized professional development. West Chicago Community High School also will be presented with a cash award to continue support of economic education.