b'Inspiring, Enriching, MotivatingThroughout the 2019-2020 academic year, ToriThe Internet of Things has allowed small to large attended six three-day symposia that included acompanies to gather and analyze big data, she combination of structured instructional and facultysaid. An advantage of an economics background development activities, as well as self-directedis an ability to apply the statistical methods learned activities designed to meet her individual goals.in class to help answer complex market questions. Because of Covid-19, the April 2020 symposia wasI am in the process of refocusing my Intermediate held virtually, which proved a valuable experienceMacroeconomics course to a more applied growth for Tori. and development course that builds the skills and knowledge my students need to contribute to Our April 2020 symposium was moved from a face- this data-driven market. Traditional intermediate to-face meeting to an online virtual meeting, similar tomacroeconomic textbooks are written by academics what my students were experiencing after returningfor academics. I am redesigning the course using from Spring Break, she shared. During the symposiumother resources, so my students learn the fundamental we discussed effective strategies we could use tomacroeconomic models but are equipped to apply engage students and methods to improve learning inthe models and statistical methods to solve market a virtual environment. Some students are successful inquestions. These are the skills and knowledge that a virtual environment; other students struggle. The keycompanies need and demand.is identifying several different strategies and methods that assure learning while maintaining rigor in theThe Georgia Teaching Fellows Program brings together course. As always a key to success is communicationcommitted and creative teachers and challenges and availability.them to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that creates lifelong learners. Tori said she shares her cell phone number with her students every semester. When asked how she would describe the program, Tori responded, Inspiring, enriching, and motivating. The Students study during different hours of the day andprogram inspired new ways to approach the classroom night and every day of the week, she explained. Iexperience. The program enriched my teaching by provide my students with my cell phone number sohaving me experience and observe new teaching they can call and text me when they need help.techniques from the viewpoint of the student and the instructor. The program and its leaders motivated The first symposium began by asking, Why do youme, which has elevated my passion and purpose as a teach?teacher.I thought this was a great way to start the firstSo how did Tori answer the question, Why do you symposium, she said So often as teachers we askteach? I am blessed to be able to impact the lives of ourselves what we should teach or how we shouldmy students. teach, but it has been a long time since I asked myself, Why do I teach?This summer a former student reached out to Tori and told her that the experiences in her class inspired him This is just one example of how the programand greatly influenced the direction of his career. challenged the Fellows to examine why, how, and what they teach.My students have made the choice to attend college, she continued. Its my job to help them discover The program also emphasized that the Fellowstheir talents, help build their knowledge and skills, should identify what they want their studentsencourage them to take ownership of their education, to know and be able to do years from now. Toriand spark their desire for lifelong learning. The Georgia decided to revise her senior level economicsTeaching Fellows Program exposed me to emerging course, Intermediate Macroeconomics, with thisand creative teaching methods that have inspired and focus in mind.improved me as a teacher.SPRING 2021 23'