Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Kathy Pondy
Pondy, Kathy
Director of Student and Teacher Services
ACEE- Arizona Council on Economic Education
Kathy Pondy has served as the Director of Student and Teacher Services for the Arizona Council on Economic Education for over 6 years. Prior to this position, Kathy spent over 29 years as an educator in Arizona. Kathy has had many roles in education including Social Studies Curriculum and Instructional specialist, Library Media Specialist, district technology trainer, and teacher of economics, government, and US history. Kathy holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Concordia University and a bachelor's degree in history education from Northern Arizona University. Kathy is an advisory committee member for CTE BME and CMT program and the chair of the Professional Development Committee for the National Association for Economic Educators. Among many recognitions and awards, Kathy was named a Deer Valley Unified School District teacher of the year and Rising Star nominee by the National Association of Economic Educators.
Sessions:
[5818] Swipe Smart: Money and Cyber Safety for Today’s Students
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Westin La Paloma
- Business and Marketing Education
Participants will explore ready-to-use resources and lesson activities designed to prepare students for success in today’s digital financial world. This session highlights practical instructional strategies for teaching digital financial literacy and essential cyber safety skills, helping students make informed and secure financial decisions online. The workshop is best suited for middle and high school educators, with cross-disciplinary applications in mathematics, personal finance, business, and economics.
[5816] Level Up Learning: Interactive Economics and Personal Finance for CTE
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Westin La Paloma
- Business and Marketing Education
Bring economics and personal finance to life in your CTE classroom through engaging, no-tech games and activities aligned with business, marketing, and finance standards. This interactive workshop equips educators with hands-on strategies to teach foundational economic and personal finance concepts while reinforcing key CTE competencies. Through role-playing, simulations, and collaborative games, participants will explore practical ways to help students connect economic principles and financial decision-making to real-world business and marketing contexts. By the end of the session, educators will leave with ready-to-implement activities and renewed confidence in integrating economics and personal finance into their CTE curriculum.
