What a great weekend! It was invigorating to see all my colleagues, old and new from throughout the country. It’s great to see elementary and middle school civics valued. It was wonderful to hear and see all the amazing things being done by teachers from all corners. The center for civic ed staff packed two days with useful and enlightening sessions! Love this! #civiced #CCE #sschat #CEAS ... See more

In my happy place with civic educators from across the country. We have so much talent in this room!

Next up in our special Q&A series, we’re highlighting what uniquely motivates board member Cheryl Cook-Kallio to support our vital mission! Cheryl is a veteran teacher specializing in high school civics. She has been elected to her local city council and board of education. Cheryl currently serves as California state coordinator for the We the People and Project Citizen Programs provided by the Center.

🔴 Q: Why are you passionate about civic education?

There is nothing more important to our country than a participatory citizenry. That is why I am so passionate about quality civic education. I have been civically active since I was a teenager and knew I recently earned the right to vote with the 26th Amendment to the Constitution. I turned 18 with days to spare. I credit great teachers who created awareness of the importance of voting. I spent my entire teaching career encouraging young people through quality programs like Project Citizen and We the People. It changed how I taught. It is why I pursued a master’s degree emphasizing the Constitution as a Madison Fellow.

Moreover, as a parent, I saw first-hand what it did for my children, who benefitted from quality civic education in their schools. Through my forty years in the classroom, I realized that it is not just voting but also what you do leading up to the civic obligation that creates civil discussion and action. It was my students who encouraged me to run for public office. I know I had come full circle.

🔴 Q: Why is this a critical moment for the work of the Center for Civic Education?

One of the wonderful things about retirement is choosing how one spends time. As a Center for Civic Education’s national Board of Directors member, I have found a place to use my extensive experience and skills to further quality civic education. It is critical that we help students acquire the six proven practices for effective civic learning. We know the Center’s programs work because data drawn from frequent research studies prove time and time again our impact on civic learning. I am grateful to have the opportunity to bring these programs to teachers around the country. The work is tremendously rewarding, and I am grateful to be a part of it.

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To meet all of the members of the Center’s Board of Directors, visit: https://lnkd.in/eaWrC9yK

#Leadership #BoardSpotlight #BoardMembers #Civics #CivicLeadership ... See more