IB Economics Teacher Summit - Shanghai, China

November 1st, 2024

I am humbled, honored, and delighted to share the excitement of hosting the IB Economics Teacher Summit last weekend at Wellington College International Shanghai.

It was three full days set aside to focus on our craft of teaching IB Economics.

And with a combined 104 years of IB Economics teaching experience between the fifteen of us, it was truly a dream scenario.

As you will see in the agenda below, we dug deep into the IB Diploma Programme, the five essential skills of IB Economics, the content of the course, and most impactful, the secret behind the transferable writing structures that connect the Internal Assessment, Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Friday: Building From the Ground Up

- Session #1: Crafting an Effective IB Classroom Culture

- Session #2: The IB Program: What is This Thing?

- Session #3: IB Economics Course Overview – The Big Picture

- Session #4: Filling The Gap – Teaching IB Economics

- Session #5: Pacing The Course – The Most Daily Thing


Saturday: A Deep Dive into IB Economics – Content & Writing

- Session #6: The Internal Assessment - The IB’s Greatest Gift to Us

- Session #7: Teaching Microeconomics

- Session #8: Teaching Market Power

- Session #9: Teaching Macroeconomics

- Session #10: Teaching The Global Economy


Sunday: Understanding IB Economics Assessments

- Session #11: The IB Economics Assessments – Paper 1, 2, & 3

- Session #12: The Extended Essay in Economics

- Session #13: The World Studies Extended Essay

- Session #14: Pulling it All Together: Debrief and Next Steps

Without question, the highlight for me was our daily Round Table Discussions where the fifteen of us sat down and shared our thoughts, our best practices, our shared beliefs on education, and our vulnerabilities as educators.  I learned so much.

A huge thank you to Tarra Behr, Lizanne Obilo, and the entire administration at Wellington College International Shanghai for reaching out to me and making it possible.

Wellington College is a world-class institution full of true professionals with their hearts firmly behind their educational philosophy.

So thank you Tarra, Lizanne, Sherry, Louie, Daniel, Sourav, Joe, Dominic, Jimena, Yvonne, Emily, Nurudeen, Ester, and Michael.  May our work serve as a model for future IB Economics Teacher Summits around the world.

See you next week. 




What teachers had to say about The Summit...

Getting to work with Brad, seeing his process and sharing his understanding of the IB Economics course has been fantastic. Of all the PDs I have taken part in across AP, IB, and IGCSE I would say this has been the best and most rewarding. I cannot recommend it highly enough to those who are new to the IB, new to economics, and experienced educators looking for that little bit more in the classroom. You will not regret getting to know him and gaining access to his knowledge and enthusiasm.
- Dominic Organ
The three days that I attended the IB Economics Summit went by so quickly mainly because the course was entertaining and tailored to suit the needs of both experienced and new teachers. Brad is an excellent presenter who made sure that every minute of the course was well accounted for, keeping us engaged and eager to contribute to the discussions. The resources are very well thought out and structured making the experience enjoyable and memorable. I look forward to attending more such workshops with Brad in the future.                                                                                                                     
- Joe Gichana
Attending this three-day summit was an incredible experience! Brad's insights and helpful hints have given me the confidence to embrace and enjoy teaching Economics. His invaluable information has truly made my journey easier moving forward. Thank you, Brad!                                       
-Tarra Behr
Attending Brad Cartwright's workshop was an exceptional experience that has profoundly enriched my understanding and teaching of IB Economics. The workshop was meticulously organized and provided a perfect blend of theoretical insights and practical strategies I could immediately implement in my classroom. Brad’s expertise and enthusiasm for the subject are truly inspiring, and his ability to simplify complex concepts made learning both enjoyable and effective. The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged active participation and the exchange of ideas among educators, which was incredibly valuable. I now feel confident in guiding my students through their IB Economics journey and supporting them in their Extended Essays. Additionally, the resources and tools provided during the workshop have been indispensable in enhancing my curriculum. I wholeheartedly recommend this workshop to any IB Economics Teachers, IB Coordinators, and EE Coordinators. It is an investment in professional growth that pays off immensely, both for educators and their students. Thank you, Brad, for an outstanding experience!
- Lizanne Obilo
I am brand-new IB teacher and Brad helped me go through everything I need. Although it's overwhelming but I feel like absorbing all useful experience.  
- Sherry Dong                    
Brad brings a wealth of knowledge and genuine passion to our IB Economics workshops, making each session both impactful and inspiring. His expertise in Extended Essays and Theory of Knowledge shines through as he guides teachers through complex ideas with clarity and care. Brad’s approach is refreshingly practical; he doesn’t just teach the theory but dives into real strategies and meaningful details that help students genuinely connect with the material. His sessions feel purposeful and engaging, empowering teachers to tackle what’s essential for their growth. We look forward to continuing this rewarding collaboration with him in the future.                                                                   
-Sourav Mondal