Mathematics Video

Teaching Economics (Taylor’s Version)

By Lauren Santucci — November 16, 2023 2:31
Taylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

In the last year alone, Taylor Swift has had an astounding impact on the United States economy (one estimate puts it at $5 billion) through her multi-city Eras tour, the subsequent movie, and the release of two new albums. And that was all before she put Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on the pop culture map and brought her massive influence to the NFL.

This effect has been dubbed “Swiftonomics” and a high school economics teacher in Texas is incorporating it into her curriculum.

Kelsey Halfen, a teacher in Sugar Land, Texas, is a self-described ‘Swiftie.’ She pulls examples from Taylor Swift’s career to teach concepts like supply and demand and gross domestic product, or GDP. In October, she shared those lessons with other teachers through an online class on Econiful. Here, she discusses her ‘Swiftonomics’ lessons and describes the benefits to students in understanding economic concepts.

Lauren Santucci was a video producer for Education Week.

Video

Early Childhood Video Students Have Big Feelings. Can Principals Interpret Them?
Four school leaders share how they're helping students learn to regulate their emotions.
1 min read
Pre-K 4 SA teacher Deziree Arce, center, comforts one of her her students, Oct. 9, 2025, in San Antonio.
Pre-K 4 SA teacher Deziree Arce, center, comforts one of her her students, Oct. 9, 2025, in San Antonio.
Eric Gay/AP
Federal Video What the Midterm Elections Could Mean for Schools: 4 Takeaways
What Democratic victories and an electoral bright spot for Trump could mean for schools.
1 min read
People at a Democratic event react during an election night event at a hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.
People at a Democratic event react during an election night event at a hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Reading & Literacy Video Want Kids to Read More? An Expert Shares the Low-Cost Tips That Work (Video)
A researcher shares her tips about how to motivate kids to read more.
Illustration of children's hands holding books in a circle in the center of the frame.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week
Early Childhood Video How Play-Based Learning Helps Children Practice Math and Literacy Skills
See how elementary teachers use play-based learning to reinforce math and literacy instruction.
1 min read
Children enjoy a morning at the writing center at the Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School in Concord, N.C., on Sept. 3, 2026. Educators at the school use play to reinforce math and literacy instruction.
Children enjoy a morning at the writing center at the Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School in Concord, N.C., on Sept. 3, 2026. Educators at the school use play to reinforce math and literacy instruction.
Peyton Sickles for Education Week