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He and the two other honorees will receive the award at the Council for Economic Education's 2016 Visionary Awards Dinner, at The Plaza Hotel on Oct. 26.
A letter announcing the award described Joseph as "an extraordinarily dedicated educator who is committed to helping his students gain an understanding of economics and personal finance."
Joseph graduated from White Plains High School in 1996, and he returned to teach at his alma mater in 2002. In addition to economics, he's also taught U.S. history and law classes.
He told Daily Voice that graduating from White Plains is a family tradition going back to the 1930s: both his mother and grandmother did, as well.
Joseph tries to foster a love of learning in his classes -- instead of an "eat your vegetables" approach.
"I believe it is my job to show them how curriculum intersects with their passions, and help them remember how much they love to learn," he said. "Economics is especially well suited to this. It is everywhere. It is a part of every choice we make.
"By speaking to their passions, I offer them the opportunity to critically think about both the world they inhabit, and also their own lives."
In addition to the physical Teaching Champion award, Joseph will receive $5,000 cash and a scholarship to the Council's 55th Annual Financial Literacy and Economic Education Conference in Phoenix, in October.
White Plains High School will also receive $2,500 to support economic and financial education.
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