Fostering Civic Engagement in the Classroom: How to Support a Youth-led Movement for Justice | National Humanities Center

Humanities in Class: Webinar Series

Fostering Civic Engagement in the Classroom: How to Support a Youth-led Movement for Justice

Civic Engagement; Activism; Teaching; Democracy; Public Education

Jon T. Greenberg (Educator and Writer from Seattle; cofounder of the WA NAACP Youth Council)

October 31, 2023

Given widespread attacks over “critical race theory” and discriminatory treatment of LGBTQIA+ individuals in schools, teachers can’t afford to simply teach about government in a representative democracy; youth need to be invited to participate in democratic processes. Though young people are routinely shut out of the conversation, Shirley Chisholm once said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Public education can institutionalize bringing chairs to the youth at the decision-making tables and thereby help develop a more active and engaged citizenry.

Through this webinar, teachers will learn about innovative classroom projects at both the local and state government levels that have students traveling to the state capitol, initiating postcard campaigns, and testifying at public hearings. Many have lamented the lack of classes emphasizing civic engagement and studies have confirmed that youth lack basic civics knowledge. This workshop is designed to address those realities.

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Subjects

Education Studies / Civic Engagement / Activism / Teaching / Democracy / Public Education /

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