Cook Elementary Teachers Win State Economics Award
Four Fort Smith educators received a prize for a student-led classroom business project.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Primary Education
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Economics Arkansas recognized four teachers at Cook Elementary School with the Bessie B. Moore Teaching Award. The team earned the honor for a project where students designed and operated a market to sell handmade crafts.
Why it matters
The initiative sought to increase student engagement by giving participants direct ownership over their education through hands-on business development. By managing their own storefronts and inventory, students gained practical experience in economics and financial literacy.
The teachers share a $1,000 cash award after guiding students through a six-week curriculum that culminated in a two-day market featuring 11 unique craft types. The student-run venture successfully raised approximately $600 for charity.
The players
Economics Arkansas
This nonprofit organization has promoted economic education across the state since its founding in 1962.
Cook Elementary School
This school serves the local Fort Smith community and hosted the presentation of the award.
Melisa Crossland
She is one of the four educators recognized for developing the economics curriculum.
LaDonna Devine
She is one of the four educators recognized for developing the economics curriculum.
Ashley Griffith
She is one of the four educators recognized for developing the economics curriculum.
The details
Educators Melisa Crossland, LaDonna Devine, Ashley Griffith and Jennifer Howald directed students to form business partnerships and produce items for a school-wide sale. Participants managed every aspect of the project, from designing storefronts to executing individual market transactions.
Timeline
1962: Economics Arkansas is founded as a nonprofit organization.
October 28, 2026: Four teachers receive the Bessie B. Moore Teaching Award at Cook Elementary.
Culture Shift
The Bessie B. Moore Teaching Award continues a multi-decade trend of celebrating project-based learning in Arkansas classrooms. This recognition highlights a broader educational shift toward hands-on financial literacy over traditional lecture-based instruction.
This award highlights the specific teaching methods being utilized within the local district to improve student engagement. Parents may see similar entrepreneurial projects integrated into the classroom curriculum in future semesters.
The takeaway
Educators looking to inspire students can use business-based simulations to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. Giving students control over business decisions encourages collaborative problem-solving and deeper academic investment.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local learning at Primary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Talk Business & Politics.
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