Ethan Baum

Background

About Ethan Baum

I love learning, and at its core, teaching is learning. At the American School in Japan, I teach AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and SUPA Entrepreneurship—a Syracuse University dual enrollment course that’s open-ended, student-driven, and grounded in real-world innovation. SUPA centers on entrepreneurial thinking: students pitch business ideas, form teams, iterate solutions, and present to authentic audiences. The course thrives on ambiguity and possibility, requiring me to foster creativity, resilience, and collaboration—not just in my students, but in myself. It pushes all of us to take risks, embrace feedback, and learn from failure. Before joining ASIJ, I spent seven transformative years at Oakland Technical High School, where I taught in the Paideia program and created AP American Government and Honors Comparative Government from the ground up. That work demanded fluency across a wide range of content—from classical political philosophy to contemporary economics—and I loved the challenge of constantly adapting my curriculum to real-world events and student interests. Now, I’m focused on helping students see the economic world with sharper eyes and empowering them to solve problems that matter—with curiosity, courage, and an entrepreneurial mindset.