K12 Social Studies Professional Development

Teaching the Founding: Seminar Series for WI K12 Social Studies Teachers

This statewide initiative brings high‑quality, in‑person civics seminars to K12 social studies teachers across Wisconsin. Programs connect educators with constitutional scholars through a partnership between the UW System Office of Civic Engagement and the Jack Miller Center. In each seminar, educators dive into America’s founding documents, explore rich primary sources, and build practical strategies to support meaningful civic learning and civil dialogue in their classrooms. Along the way, teachers will also join a growing network of peers committed to strengthening civic education across Wisconsin. 

This work is supported by a three-year, $1.09 million grant awarded to the Universities of Wisconsin by the U.S. Department of Education’s American History & Civics Seminars program.

This grant supports:

  • Stipends for participants who complete seminars
  • Scholar-led content sessions paired with classroom application workshops
  • Evidence-based teacher training programs provided by the Jack Miller Center (JMC)
  • Supporting activities designed to maximize and measure lasting program impact
  • Outreach to public, voucher, and charter school sectors
  • A statewide survey of Wisconsin social studies teachers

Statewide Reach

Between 2026 and 2028, the Universities of Wisconsin will host 18+ in-person professional learning events with locations rotating among University of Wisconsin campuses to ensure wide geographic access.

Next Seminar: Thomas Jefferson and the Origins of the Declaration of Independence

July 8–10, 2026
UW–Milwaukee

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence by going behind the scenes of its most influential document.

This two-and-a-half-day teacher workshop invites educators to explore the ideas, debates, and historical context behind the Declaration of Independence through close analysis of primary sources. Participants will examine drafts of the Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by members of the drafting committee, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, while investigating the political and intellectual influences that shaped the document and its authors.

Scholar-led content sessions on July 8–9 focus on how the Declaration was written, debated, and understood in its own time. The July 10 classroom application workshop emphasizes strategies for using primary sources to help students investigate the Declaration’s origins and legacy.

Learn More
Apply by June 1

Expected Outcomes

  • An improvement in participant content knowledge
  • The breaking down of sector barriers (public, voucher, and charter) in teacher education and knowledge sharing around civics
  • A lasting education training infrastructure that ensures the continuation of activities after the grant is complete through collaboration with the Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition’s Civic Schools Network.

At a Glance

  • Grant Amount: $1.09 million
  • Funding Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Program: American History & Civics Seminars
  • Duration: 3 years (2026-2028)
  • Lead Partner: Jack Miller Center

25-26

Seminars 

  • Eau Claire (February, 1-day)
  • Milwaukee (July 2.5, 2.5-day)

Conference Support

  • America at 250 Educator Summit (Aug 5-6)
  • 2026 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison

26-27

Seminars

  • 6 seminars at 6 UW campuses

Conference Support

  • 2027 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit

WI Social Studies Educator Survey

  • 250+ completion

Presentations and Publications

  • WCSS 2027
  • Annual impact report

27-28

Seminars

  • 6 seminars at 6 UW campuses

Conference Support

  • 2028 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit
  • 2028 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison

Presentations and Publications

  • WCSS 2028
  • CommUnity 2028
  • Wisconsin Social Studies Educator Survey results
  • Annual impact report

Supporters/Partners

The following organizations submitted letters of support for the grant proposal. Other partners will be added as they become involved:

  • Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History
  • The Wisconsin Association of School Boards
  • Sphere Education Initiatives
  • The Center for Civic Education
  • The Legislative Semester
  • The Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire
  • The Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
  • The Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (CSLD) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Contact

Contact Program Manager Libby Falck for more information.