Civics Educators Conference

Civics Educators Conference

Friday, October 8, 2021

8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Utah Valley University, Orem Campus

Utah social studies teachers are invited to a professional development conference focused on civic education hosted by UVU's Center for Constitutional Studies as part of its Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative and its K-12 Constitutional Literacy Initiative. Sessions and speakers are expected to include:

  • Lessons in civility from the infamous presidential election of 1800
  • Dr. Greg Jackson, UVU professor and creator of the Apple and Sportify top 20 history podcast "History that Doesn't Suck"
  • The story behind the NEH and U.S. Dept. of Ed. sponsored Educating for American Democracy initiative and its roadmap for excellence in history and civics
  • Pedagogical training, lesson plans, and classroom materials for civic education

In order to fulfill the purpose of the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative recently passed in the Utah State Legislature, this conference will provide professional development and assist in the PLC process by helping teachers determine essential standards and identify foundational prerequisite skills to develop targeted instruction. The conference will empower teachers to understand complex government principles by learning from experts in the field.

Participants can earn up to 6 relicensure credits.

The Center for Constitutional Studies will offer a mileage reimbursement stipend for conference attendees and lunch will be provided.

The Center will also reimburse schools for the cost of any substitute teachers needed to cover for teacher attendees.

To register, click on the following link: https://uvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bK7AxsezmrWrF4i   

Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. MT on Thursday, September 30, 2021.

This conference is made possible by the Utah Legislature through the 2021 House Bill 327, which established and funded the Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative within the Center for Constitutional Studies at UVU. The initiative was created to "facilitate nonpartisan political discussion and provide civic education and research" by "provid[ing] resources to students, outside academic institutions, government agencies, and other persons regarding civic affairs; and foster[ing] thoughtful civic engagement in Utah and the surrounding region."

To read the full text of HB 327, click on the following link: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0327.html