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 100% 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.
Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit: The Constitution and American Self-Government
Saturday, October 24
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
The Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit brings together K–12 teachers, curriculum leaders, and civic education partners from across the state to explore the enduring significance of the United States Constitution and its role in American self-government.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- $150 stipend for participants
- Keynote address exploring the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
- Plenary discussion on teaching constitutionalism across K-12 grade levels
- Interactive breakout sessions led by Jack Miller Center and Sphere Education
- Free classroom resources and materials
- Opportunities to connect with educators from across Wisconsin
Next Seminar:
America’s First Government: The Articles of Confederation
November 14, 2026
UW–Oshkosh
This one-day seminar invites K-12 social studies educators to examine the nation’s first framework of government through close study of the Articles of Confederation and the debates surrounding its creation and implementation. Participants will investigate both the successes and shortcomings of the Articles while analyzing letters, speeches, and other primary sources that reveal competing views of national authority, state sovereignty, and the challenges of governing a new republic. Through discussion and historical inquiry guided by expert scholars, educators will gain a deeper understanding of how the Confederation era shaped the development of the U.S. Constitution.
Get an invite to apply!Program Schedule
25-26
Seminars
- Eau Claire (Feb 28)
- Milwaukee (July 8-10)
Conference Support
- America at 250 Educator Summit (Aug 5-6)
- 2026 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison (Sept 26)
26-27
Seminars
- Oshkosh (Nov 14)
- Madison (Jan)
- Eau Claire (Feb)
- River Falls
- Superior
- Stevens Point
Conference Support
- 2026 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit
WI Social Studies Educator Survey
- 250+ completion
Presentations and Publications
- WCSS 2027
- Annual impact report
27-28
Seminars
- Whitewater
- Platteville
- Stout
- Parkside
- Green Bay
- La Crosse
Conference Support
- 2027 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
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
Previous 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.
Participant Quotes
“This was honestly one of the most perfectly organized PDs I’ve been a part of. There was a good amount of time for each keynote, good breaks, good lunch, good timing of the day overall without wearing us out in the afternoon.”
“Classroom application is often overlooked in content PD. It was refreshing to see experienced teachers show how to utilize the content from professors in a high, middle, or elementary school setting.”
“The strategies and resources I gained through this seminar have empowered me to engage students to analyze the documents that have shaped this country in order to find their relevance in today’s political climate. THANK YOU!!! Excellent job!!”
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.