A curriculum designer on the NGPF team for more than two years, Ryan Wood recently stepped in to lead the Behavioral Economics Certification Course. Read on to learn how his business background and time as an educator in the classroom have come together to support teachers through NGPF.

Prior to joining NGPF, Ryan was a Business and Marketing teacher for three years and used NGPF's curriculum. 

"I loved how up-to-date and relevant it was, my administrators loved how engaging it was, and students loved that the material was something they would be using in the immediate future," said Ryan. "When the opportunity arose to join NGPF, it was an enthusiastic yes from me!"

Now as a curriculum designer, his experience in the classroom shapes the way he approaches his work at NGPF. 

"I ask myself if I would enjoy using the resources I'm creating if I was using them in the classroom," Ryan said. "This mindset has sent me back to the drawing board multiple times to make sure what teachers are using has value and doesn't just 'check the box.'"

Taking on the Behavioral Economics Certification Course is the latest way Ryan gets a taste of being in front of a "classroom" again, teaching a topic he is passionate about. 

While studying Business Administration as an undergrad at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Ryan enjoyed his micro and macro economics courses, but became much more interested once he was introduced to behavioral economics and the psychological side of decision making. 

“I’d always loved the framework of traditional economics, but I wanted to scream from the rooftops that people don’t always fit within those frameworks,” said Ryan. “That’s where behavioral economics entered my life and validated all of those concerns.”

Now, Ryan gets to share his knowledge of Behavioral Economics with teachers who share his inclination toward continued personal and professional development.

"Being a lifelong learner isn't just a nice thing to say on a resume, but something I believe everyone should embrace."

Want to take Ryan’s course? He’s facilitating Behavioral Economics again in Cohort #35, which starts June 26. Register for the course here. 

About the Author

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.