Middle school teachers play a particularly strong role in boosting civic knowledge and engagement, helping students become active, responsible citizens. NASBE’s Civic Engagement Champions (CEC) award program honors middle school teachers who promote their students’ active citizenship.
The program highlights the work of four outstanding middle school teachers from four states—Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington, which represent NASBE’s four regional membership areas. Winners receive national recognition and $5,000 awards given at NASBE’s Annual Conference in October. We plan to expand the program in future years and hope eventually to operate in all 50 states.
The National Council for the Social Studies notes, “Active and responsible citizens are able to identify and analyze public problems, deliberate with other people about how to define and address issues, take constructive action together, reflect on their actions, create and sustain groups, and influence institutions both large and small.”
Thus, the CEC program will reach out to teachers in a variety of disciplines. Social studies teachers should not have the sole responsibility for promoting citizenship. We envision that teachers might be honored for projects like these:
One winner in each of the four participating states will be recognized.
Winners will be announced at NASBE’s Annual Conference, held each fall.
Four middle school teachers have been named Civic Engagement Champions (CEC) for their work in promoting civics education and active citizenship.
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