Bill Betthauser, an AP Economics and International Business teacher at Bishop O'Connell High School, was named the 2023 Virginia Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year by the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE). He received the award at the 2023 Virginia Economic Educator Awards Luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on Friday, Dec. 8. This award recognizes individuals who use creative and engaging techniques to teach economics in and out of the classroom.
Betthauser is in his 12th year at Bishop O’Connell, where he also mentors students through the Stock & Finance Club and the Global Studies Program. In addition, he serves as student council junior class moderator. Over the past several years, he has used his free time in the summer to continue his own professional development through global education and learning programs--attending the Summer Economic Institute for teachers at Stanford University on numerous occasions, heading to Germany as a part of the Transatlantic Outreach Program, and most recently traveling to South Korea as a fellow of the Discover Korea Research Visit Program, where he toured schools, cultural and historic sites and businesses.
"I enjoy teaching students about how their life and their economic decisions fit into the larger world around them," said Betthauser. "It's great to ignite their curiosity and see them ask questions that have global implications."