For the past 60 years, MCEE has made tremendous strides in advancing financial and economic literacy in Minnesota - but there is still work to be done. From our programs meeting the needs of underserved youth in the Twin Cities to workshops helping new teachers become familiar with economic standards and topics, whether we're equipping high schoolers to apply for college or providing resources for outstate educators, MCEE is on the forefront of helping Minnesotans engage with our increasingly complex world. Yet, there are still many successes to be proud of this year.

I am most proud, perhaps, of the work MCEE has done in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the first time in its history, MCEE has undergone a review of its program, staff and board policies to ensure that our commitment to serving all Minnesotans is clearly outlined and implemented in everything we do. This commitment was borne out in many of the curriculum and material updates that took place this past year, with culturally-inclusive lesson content and format being integrated across many different projects and programs. Even with the difficulties of engaging with schools still navigating distance and hybrid learning, MCEE made significant efforts to reach schools with historically underserved student bodies to ensure that high-quality instruction in economics and personal finance is available to every Minnesotan.

Helping MCEE to achieve its mission is certainly our partnerships with the University of Minnesota and with faculty at colleges and universities around the state. Through these creative and hardworking centers, and affiliated faculty, thousands of students and teachers receive support, resources, and training that is informed by the realities and needs of their local communities. As these relationships grow stronger, our capacity to transform the landscape of economic and financial education in the state grows as well. I have every reason to believe the future for MCEE is bright.

I hope that as you review this report, you'll see the many areas of opportunity facing MCEE in the coming years and recognize the unique role that we can play in ensuring Minnesotans are prepared to make well-informed decisions in the world today. I know that I find great inspiration in the successes of this past year and the opportunities before us, and am proud to lead a board of passionate volunteers who support the staff in making our vision a reality. Together, with the support of our generous donors, we can get this done.

This  past year has been one of transformation, of rediscovery, and of tremendous potential. In some ways the conditions in which we work have improved dramatically, with a return to in-classroom instruction for many educators and MCEE curricula and workshops now more necessary than ever. In other ways, our mission faces greater challenges from a state that needs to be reintroduced to our work and the benefits of financial and economic education. In short, we are standing at a crossroads.

In looking back over our history, I'm inspired by the work of the Council during the early 1980's when the economic conditions were not too dissimilar to now. The Executive Director at the time, Bruce Dalgaard, observed that it is ironic that many people don't want to learn about economics in times of prosperity and economic stability but instead wait until times of uncertainty when there is little they can do to insulate themselves from economic shocks. Truly, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it; as our country experiences some of its highest levels of inflation in nearly 3 decades, Russia is in the news for military threats in Eastern Europe, and airports are filled with stranded travelers, it certainly feels as though we are repeating another era of our history. And yet, I take solace in the simple fact that MCEE survived the challenges of that moment and grew to have an even greater impact across the state following those difficulties.

Now is the  moment for a similar transformation, as MCEE works to adapt our programs, our operations, and our mission to meet a new generation of Minnesotans in the classroom and in their communities throughout the state. We are committed, now more than ever, to ensuring that every aspect of our work meaningfully contributes to the economic and financial knowledge of Minnesotans so that they are prepared to contribute to their local communities and to our state. None of this would be possible without your support and engagement; the Minnesota Council is uniquely privileged to work with so many teachers, community and business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies who share our vision for a more prosperous and well-informed state. We hope that as we enter this next year, with its own challenges and opportunities, you will continue to support our work and champion the cause of economic and financial literacy alongside us.

As Amelia Earhart once said, "the most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity;" I know that MCEE is acting decisively to ensure that our programs reach more underserved youth and communities to offer skills, resources, and opportunities to learn and grow. I know that MCEE is acting to expand the capabilities of our regional centers to better anticipate and meet the needs of teachers across the state with programs and curricula that are tailored to local contexts. I know that MCEE is acting to provide deep dives into economic and personal finance content for educators, to help prepare them to tackle questions about current events and global issues in their classrooms. Yet, even with all this action, I am certain that MCEE is prepared to follow through with your support. 

Thank you for trusting us to get the job done.