{"id":52,"date":"2026-04-14T13:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/?page_id=52"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:00:47","slug":"k12-civics-seminars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/k12-civics-seminars\/","title":{"rendered":"K12 Social Studies Professional Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Teaching the Founding:<\/em> Seminar Series for WI K12 Social Studies Teachers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This statewide initiative brings high\u2011quality, in\u2011person 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This work is supported by a three-year, $1.09 million grant awarded to the Universities of Wisconsin by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/grants-and-programs\/grants-birth-grade-12\/well-rounded-education-grants\/american-history-and-civics-national-activities-grants#:~:text=View%20as%20HTML-,Applicant%20Information,later%20than%20Sept%2030%2C%202025\">U.S. Department of Education\u2019s\u00a0<em>American History &amp; Civics Seminars<\/em>\u00a0program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This grant supports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stipends for participants who complete seminars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scholar-led content sessions paired with classroom application workshops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence-based teacher training programs provided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/our-work\/initiatives\/founding-civics-initiative\">Jack Miller Center<\/a> (JMC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting activities designed to maximize and measure lasting program impact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outreach to public, voucher, and charter school sectors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A statewide survey of Wisconsin social studies teachers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Statewide Reach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between 2026 and 2028,\u00a0the Universities of Wisconsin\u00a0will host 18+ in-person professional learning events with locations rotating among University of Wisconsin campuses to ensure wide geographic access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-callout-block\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/get-involved\/events\/workshop-in-milwaukee-jefferson-and-the-origins-of-the-declaration\" class=\"callout-main-title\" target=\"\">Next Seminar: <strong>Thomas Jefferson and the Origins of the Declaration of Independence<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><h4 class=\"callout-sub-title\"><strong>July 8\u201310, 2026<\/strong><br><strong>UW\u2013Milwaukee<\/strong><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized is-style-overlay\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Official_Presidential_portrait_of_Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale_1800-scaled-aspect-ratio-560-654.webp\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:292px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence by going behind the scenes of its most influential document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholar-led content sessions on July 8\u20139 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\u2019s origins and legacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/get-involved\/events\/workshop-in-milwaukee-jefferson-and-the-origins-of-the-declaration\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/uwsystemadmin.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8IHJgyXoRvL0QXI\">Apply by June 1<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expected Outcomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An improvement in participant content knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The breaking down of sector barriers (public, voucher, and charter) in teacher education and knowledge sharing around civics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lasting education training infrastructure that ensures the continuation of activities after the grant is complete through collaboration with the Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition&#8217;s Civic Schools Network.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At a Glance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grant Amount:<\/strong>\u00a0$1.09 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding Source:<\/strong>&nbsp;U.S. Department of Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Program:<\/strong>&nbsp;American History &amp; Civics Seminars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong>&nbsp;3 years (2026-2028)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lead Partner:<\/strong>&nbsp;Jack Miller Center<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">25-26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seminars<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eau Claire (February, 1-day)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Milwaukee (July 2.5, 2.5-day)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>America at 250 Educator Summit (Aug 5-6)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2026 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-color has-light-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-01c2b02bd346b740b424762b816f496c is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">26-27<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seminars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>6 seminars at 6 UW campuses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2027 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WI Social Studies Educator Survey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>250+ completion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Presentations and Publications<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WCSS 2027<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual impact report<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">27-28<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seminars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>6 seminars at 6 UW campuses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2028 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2028 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Presentations and Publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WCSS 2028<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CommUnity 2028<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wisconsin Social Studies Educator Survey results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual impact report<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporters\/Partners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The following organizations submitted letters of support for the grant proposal. Other partners will be added as they become involved:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jack Miller Center for Teaching America\u2019s Founding Principles and History<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Wisconsin Association of School Boards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sphere Education Initiatives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for Civic Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Legislative Semester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (CSLD) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact Program Manager <a href=\"mailto:libby.falck@wisconsin.edu\">Libby Falck<\/a> for more information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Teaching the Founding: Seminar Series for WI K12 Social Studies Teachers This statewide initiative brings high\u2011quality, in\u2011person civics seminars to K12 social studies teachers across Wisconsin. Programs connect educators with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6985,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-52","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-20 19:46:50","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6985"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":250,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52\/revisions\/250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}