Decision Education Teacher Fellow Spotlight: Paul Wright

In his government and economics classes at Radnor High School in suburban Philadelphia, veteran teacher Paul Wright emphasizes the value of teaching students essential decision-making skills. With over 30 years of experience in education, Wright believes in the benefits of teaching the skills and dispositions needed for effective decision-making. He states that he incorporated the principles of Decision Education into his lessons, assignments, and classroom activities even before he “knew [Decision Education] had a name.”

In his second year participating in the Alliance for Decision Education’s Teacher Fellowship, Wright continues to weave Decision Education concepts into his teaching for a more immersive learning experience. He believes this approach fosters a deeper understanding, in which students can see firsthand the impact of using Decision Education in real-life applications.

Wright explains, “Our daily lives are a continuous stream of decisions—from mundane choices like what to wear or eat to more significant ones like where to go to college or what job offer is best. While making decisions may seem instinctive, there is a genuine need to educate students about the tools and methodologies of effective decision-making. They should learn not only how to use these tools but also how to analyze the consequences of their decisions to yield favorable outcomes.”

Wright incorporates Decision Education concepts into lesson plans and assignments to hone his students’ decision-making skills and dispositions. For instance, as part of his ninth-grade government class, he orchestrates team-based activities centered around local, state, and national political races. Within this framework, students assess issues, research candidates, predict outcomes, and gauge their confidence in the electability of their assigned candidates throughout an entire election cycle.

“I encourage them to gather as much relevant information as possible. By utilizing the decision-making skills and dispositions we’ve practiced, they can then formulate forecasts regarding the possible success of various candidates,” elaborates Wright.

Wright emphasizes the significance of reflection as a vital aspect of the learning process. He states, “Integrating concepts from Decision Education, such as reflecting on your decision-making process itself and not just the outcome of your decision, contributes substantially to students’ overall learning experience.”

Regarding his involvement with the Alliance as a Teacher Fellow, Wright considers it a pivotal opportunity to contribute to the evolution of education and influence the role of Decision Education within the field.

Paul’s work inspires us to continue to partner with educators, program providers, and others creating lesson plans and curriculum centering Decision Education. We are proud to support him in this work and excited to learn how more teachers are empowering students with the essential skills and dispositions to make better decisions through the Decision Education Teacher Fellowship.

Interested in learning more about the Decision Education Teacher Fellowship? Read more here.