Economist Spotlight Series

What do economists do? How do economists help shape the world? Economist Spotlights are an engaging activity series for middle school and high school students to spark curiosity and interest in economics as a social studies discipline and a future career. Meet real economists and explore the powerful skills they use—like asking questions, analyzing data, spotting patterns, and understanding complex relationships and issues that drive our economy. Economist Spotlights are available to students, teachers, and community organizations at no charge. Download your digital copy below. Educators may also use the online form to request free printed copies by mail.
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Economists Listen to Communities
Alberto G. Musalem | July 2025
St. Louis Fed President and CEO Alberto Musalem is an economist and policymaker who engages with communities to ask people about their economic experiences. Students will think about prices and jobs in their own community and connect what they see every day to the wider economy.

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Economists Study Relationships
Dr. Belinda Archibong | August 2022
Dr. Belinda Archibong uses economics to help improve people’s lives. Students will see how Dr. Archibong found new relationships in data and consider whether different issues that are important to them might be connected in unexpected ways.

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Economists Look for Patterns
Dr. Raphael W. Bostic | January 2022
Atlanta Fed President and CEO Raphael Bostic is an economist and policymaker who helps to build an economy that works for all of us. Students will learn how Dr. Bostic identified patterns in home loan data and recognize patterns that exist in their own lives.

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Economists Gather and Evaluate Data
Dr. Willene A. Johnson | May 2021
Dr. Willene Johnson explores a world of possibilities with economics. Students will learn how Dr. Johnson analyzed existing research with a new perspective and consider the value of different data sources and interpretation.

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Economists Ask Questions
Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander | February 2021
Dr. Sadie Alexander answers big questions with economics. Students will understand how Dr. Alexander used surveys to better understand families’ standard of living and propose their own research question.

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Resources
Lesson Plans and Resources
Explore Free Materials
Explore educational resources for students—in middle school, high school, and introductory college—to learn about real-world economics and the Federal Reserve. Our resources address a range of economic and related topics, meet state standards, and are based on the Inquiry Arc of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies
Classroom Visits
Think Like an Economist
New York Fed economic educators will present to your class on topics like the role and history of the Fed, monetary policy, or college financing. The Think Like an Economist workshop introduces economic concepts to students new to the subject and explores careers in economics—a great option for career days!
Educational Comic Books
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The New York Fed’s Educational Comic Book Series brings readers on an out-of-this-world journey to teach about basic economic principles and the Federal Reserve’s role in the financial system. Our comic books are an engaging resource for teachers to use in social studies and economics lessons. Order a set for your classroom today!
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