Alumni Book Club

A special opportunity reserved for FTE Teacher Alumni!

The Fall 2026 FTE Alumni Book Club will feature Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life, by Alex Mayyasi. The discussion will be hosted by FTE Professor, Dr. Jamie Wagner.  

Based on the popular NPR podcast, Planet Money, the book takes a closer look at the economy and the forces that affect nearly every decision we make.  Through expert research and delightful stories, it presents brand new stories and insights gathered from more than a decade of reporting that reveal ways AI might help (or replace) you, demystify dating markets, and show how pro sports’ “dumbest” contract holds the secret to building wealth. 

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Program Details & Key Dates

Participants will read Planet Money and complete approximately 2-3 asynchronous Nearpod modules designed to provide practical lessons, activities, and discussion tools for classroom use. These resources help students understand how economic principles shape the world around them.

A reading schedule will guide participants through the book, and chapters should be completed before the Nearpod assignments. Participants who finish the modules will be invited to a live Q&A discussion with the author via Zoom.

Important Dates (TBD):

  • November 17: Author Q&A via Zoom
    • 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern | 4:30 – 5:30pm Pacific

Registration Deadline

Applications are due by September 8 or until the program reaches capacity. Enrollment is limited to 50 teachers and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attendance/Eligibility

Participants must purchase their own copy of Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life by Alex Mayyasi and the hosts of NPR’s podcast. 

A reading schedule will be provided, and participants are expected to complete assigned chapters before working on the corresponding Nearpod modules.

Benefits

Participants who successfully complete the Nearpod assignments and attend the Zoom Q&A will receive a $100 virtual Visa gift card.

Purchase the Book

  • The FTE Book Club was one of the most enjoyable PDs I’ve had in my teaching career. I appreciate being able to learn and collaborate with others in the field. Thank you for this opportunity!

    Amanda Grimm
    2024 Alumni Book Club Participant

  • Getting a chance to participate in the book clubs that FTE hosts provided me with so many real world examples that students care about and more importantly, get excited about. It provides answers to the types of questions that they ask, that helps them to think more deeply and internalize the economic concepts we cover in class. That would be much harder to do without FTE!

    Christoph Brown
    2024 Alumni Book Club Participant

  • The FTE Alumni Book Club was a great experience! Being able to read an interesting book and collaborate with other teachers will greatly benefit my classroom.

    Melissa Lindsey
    2024 Alumni Book Club Participant