UCS elementary teacher means business

Utica Community Schools teacher Zita Burton was recently named the 2016 Elementary Economic Educator of the year by the Michigan Council on Economic Education.

The Michigan Council on Economic Education is a non profit organization focusing on professional development for educators and engaging activities and competitions for students.

Burton, who teaches at Havel Elementary was selected for her successful implementation of Mini-Society in her classroom.

Mini-Society is a self-organizing, experience-based approach to instructing students on entrepreneurship, economics, government, career opportunity, consumer issues, and values. The teacher functions as the facilitator with the students doing most of the discovery, usually by trial-and-error, firsthand experience.

Burton began implementing Mini-Society in her classroom in 1984 and has refined the program through the years. She guides and empowers her students to work through problems and experience life lessons through experiential learning.

Burton received the award and a $250 prize at the Federal Reserve Bank-Detroit Branch on the night of May 11th.

Two students - Mia DeSantis and CJ Allen - helped Burton share their Mini-Society experience with the 150 guests in attendance at the awards dinner.

Presenting the award was Derek D'Angelo, president of the Michigan Council on Economic Education.

D'Angelo, a former student of Burtons, credited her for helping him develop a passion for social studies and economics.