If you’re new to teaching AP Macroeconomics or AP Microeconomics, take a deep breath—you’ve got this! It can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right mindset and resources, you’ll gain confidence quickly. Here are five things I wish I had known when I first started:
1) Don’t panic—you don’t have to know everything right away.
Trust me, I wish I could go back and reassure myself of this. As long as you show up, do your best, and stay open to learning, you’ll grow stronger every week. It’s absolutely okay to tell students, “That’s a great question—I’ll get back to you tomorrow with an answer.” They’ll respect your honesty, and you’ll model lifelong learning.
2) Attend an AP Summer Institute (APSI).
This is one of the best ways to kick off your AP teaching journey. If you can attend in person, that’s ideal for networking and hands-on experience. But if travel isn’t an option, the St. Louis Federal Reserve’s FREE online APSI is an excellent alternative. You can always do both! I attended an in-person APSI the first year I taught AP Economics, but I have also attended several of the St. Louis Fed’s APSIs. Always something new to learn!
St. Louis Fed AP Economics Educator Summer Institute 2025 – Home Page
You’ll gain access to top-notch resources and professional development that make the tougher concepts much more approachable.
3) Get familiar with the core content and teaching tools.
Start by reviewing the official Course and Exam Descriptions (CEDs) from the College Board, then use video resources and AP Classroom to deepen your understanding and build your lessons.
Helpful tools:
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AP Classroom – Build custom quizzes, assign topic videos, and use the Progress Checks and Practice Exams. It’s a goldmine once you get the hang of it.
4) Join the AP Economics Facebook Group.
This is one of the most active and supportive teacher communities out there. You’ll find daily posts, shared lesson plans, creative activities, and answers to almost any question you could imagine. Even just scrolling through can be incredibly helpful.
AP Economics Teachers Facebook Group
5) Stay one step ahead of your students.
You don’t need to master the whole course before school starts. Just aim to stay a few days ahead. Do the assignments yourself before you assign them to students—it’ll help you anticipate where they might get stuck and prepare you to explain the material more clearly.
Final thought:
You can do this. Every AP teacher starts somewhere, and you’re already ahead by seeking out help and support. The AP Econ community is generous, collaborative, and full of teachers who want to see you (and your students) succeed. Welcome!