Little Rock event allows teachers to listen to Fed Chair Janet Yellen

Educators will have the opportunity to hear from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and earn three professional development hours at the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

On Jan. 12, Yellen will host Conversation With The Chair, her first town hall for teachers. Attendees of the Little Rock event will be able to watch Yellen’s one-hour talk via live video feed, and before the event, they can send questions for her to answer. The event is free, and dinner will be served, said Kris Bertelsen, economic education specialist at the Little Rock branch of the St. Louis Fed.

For Arkansas teachers, “it’s a chance to get into the Fed,” Bertelsen said.

Before Yellen speaks, St. Louis Fed economist Ana Maria Santacreu will speak to attendees for 45 minutes at the event. Bertelsen expects that Santacreu will take questions after she speaks.

Also at the event, Bertelsen said he will show some of the resources the St. Louis Fed offers for teachers. Some of the resources he’ll speak about are available on the St. Louis Fed’s website, including economics and government budgets courses. “We have a number of newer materials,” he said.

Though only educators who attend the event will receive three hours of professional development, for those who cannot come, Yellen’s talk will also be available via live webcast, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Deadline to register for the Little Rock event is Jan. 5 and seating is limited. More information is available by contacting Bertelsen at [email protected].