Greetings from Illinois Civics Hub/Illinois Democracy Schools!
We have so much Civics to look forward to in the coming months: webinars, blogs professional development opportunities, and, of course, the Illinois Democracy Schools Convening in September and NCSS in December. Follow us on Substack (https://bit.ly/4g0HcOm) for weekly blogs, monthly newsletters, and timely news!
We’re opening this school year with new programs, from our exciting work with middle schools to amazing new Guardians of Democracy courses. We’ve also got a staff of seven working hard to keep educators and stake holders informed and connected to Civic Education. We’ll introduce a staff member each month in the newsletter.
Top row (left to right): Mary Ellen Daneels- Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, Allison Baxter — Editor & Content Lead
Second row from top: Tracy Freeman — High School Renewal Manager, Dr. Kei Kawashima — Project Director Margie Smagacz — Student Voice & Representation Implementation Manager
Bottom row: Dee Runaas — Administrative Manager
Not pictured: Susan Khalaieff — Democracy Schools Manager (not pictured)
A note that the headings in this newsletter may look different. This and future publications will be designed with screen reader accessibility in mind. All visuals have alternative text attachments.
Get ready and get registered for the Fall Illinois Democracy School Convening-
Civic Ready. Future Ready!
Date: Monday, September 21
Time: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Place: NIU Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois
As 2026 marks a period of reflective patriotism in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary, it is also an important moment to look ahead—considering how we equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for the future of our democracy. Join the Illinois Democracy School Network this fall to explore how to equip our youngest community members to be Civics Ready, Future Ready. Conference proposals will highlight the vital role of civic learning in preparing students across grades K–12 to be informed, engaged participants in their communities and beyond.
Registration is now open Participants can earn 6 PDH via the DuPage Regional Office of Education. Registration fee covers parking, breakfast, lunch, and PDH fees.
Members of the Illinois Democracy School Network can register for FREE. Contact Sue Khalaieff at skhalaieff@illinoiscivics.org for more information.
Illinois Mock Elections are here!
Register to have ballots (digital or paper) for your district and supportive educational materials. Bit.ly/KidsVoteIL
Teachers, grab your capes and join the Guardians of Democracy Program!
Professional Development for 6-12 educators ACROSS DISCIPLINES! Equip young people for college, career, and civic life success.
Guardians of Democracy is an online program working to establish a network of certified educators that embrace the proven practices of civic education. QR codes in the graphic or
Bronze-Link to registration https://bit.ly/4vU6H8Z
Silver and Gold-Link to registration https://bit.ly/44w3Yav
Guardians 26 27 Calendar Update Download
NCSS 2026 needs you! Volunteer for NCSS 2026 in Chicago
In preparation for the 2026 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference, we are looking for volunteers to help make this a wonderful experience. We need volunteers to organize and provide logistics before and during the conference. The 2026 NCSS Conference will be held on December 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Center in Chicago.
Those who volunteer on the Local Arrangements Committee may qualify for free or discounted conference registration, contingent on the number of hours you serve.
Explore opportunities to serve on this Google Form!
Illinois Democracy Schools is working with Illinois Middle Schools!
Join a statewide network of middle schools committed to strengthening
Student Inquiry
Student Voice
Civic Learning
Student Belonging
Find out more and attend an informational Zoom by filling out the Google Form. Link to registration.
Professional Development opportunity-learn the Teach Different Method
Teach Different, in partnership with the Illinois Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Illinois Democracy Schools Network, is inviting a small group of Illinois humanities teachers (grades 5-12: social studies, English/language arts, and world language) into the Teach Different Method Training.
The Method is a four-move conversation routine: Quote · Claim · Counterclaim · Essential Question, that drops into the curriculum you already teach. It isn’t a new program to adopt. It’s a tool that enhances what you already teach.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for educators who:
Are comfortable trying something new in the classroom?
Would serve as a resource to bring the training back to their department?
What’s Involved?
One 90-minute online session held outside school hours. Trainings run throughout the school year, and each session is capped at 10 participants with one seat reserved per school. You’ll leave able to use the routine in class the next day.
Why Participate?
Earn 2 Illinois CPDUs for attending
Receive a Certificate of Participation
Join the nationwide Teach Different Professional Learning Community: live trainings, conversation modeling, and shared resources through the end of the school year
Extend the training to your department at no cost
Reserve a seat in the 10-week certificate program if you choose to deepen your conversational development
Receive a small honorarium for your time
Spots are limited. Register at www.teachdifferent.com/TDMTworkshop and enter referral code TDICH 2026 to reserve your seat.
Questions? Email Frank Houston, Program Coordinator at frankhouston@illinoisinstitute.us.
Four Score Speaker Series continues in person and online through The Lincoln Presidential Organization
Join The Lincoln Presidential Organization Wednesday, September 9, 6 PM - 8 PM for in-person and online Four Score Speaker Series event featuring author Dr. Matthew Pinsker, one of the foremost historians of Lincoln and the Civil War, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, recognized for his civic leadership and commitment to the ideals of this nation.
The panel discussion, moderated by Foundation President and CEO Erin Carlson Mast, will focus on Pinsker’s latest work, Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln.
Link to registration HERE for the In-Person Four Score Speaker Series. (Seating is limited!)
Not able to join us in person?
Link to registration HERE for the Live Online Webinar.
Are you teaching the Civil War?
The Kenosha Civil War Museum, Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and Illinois Council for the Social Studies are pleased to provide a one-day seminar at the renowned Kenosha Civil War Museum on Friday, August 7, 2026. Illinois teachers can earn 8 Professional Development Credit Hours. Link to register here.
Apply for The News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship Program.
The News Literacy Project is now accepting applications for its District Fellowship program, helping school systems build sustainable and impactful news and media literacy education.
This three-year fellowship provides participating districts with expert support, professional learning, implementation guidance, and a $10,000 annual stipend. In year one, districts develop a strategic plan; in year two, they pilot implementation; and in year three, they expand and deepen their efforts. Fellows also join a collaborative network of educators and leaders committed to advancing news literacy.
Applications are now being accepted for our next cohort of fellows. Link to registration. The submission deadline is Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Applications are still open for the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award. Deadline-August 9!
The Jack Miller Center is accepting applications for its 2026 Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes an exceptional teacher who helps students engage in the story of America through primary documents, new courses, and/or extracurricular activities. This application is open to all K-12 teachers.
One applicant or nominee will be selected and will receive a $2,000 prize. Applications and nominations are due by August 9th. The winner will be notified by September 4th.
Meet Ask iCivics, an AI tool for planning
iCivics has upgraded the Education website to give you with anew AI co-planner tool and free back-to-school webinars to make planning effortless.
ASK iCivics, is an AI co-planning assistant, that instantly pairs games with ready-to-use lesson plans, discussion prompts, and extension activities from their vetted, nonpartisan library.
Free Student writing competition sponsored by the Supreme Court Historical Society
Join PBS August 17 at 7 p.m. ET for a virtual event discussing teaching the American Revolution
Beyond America 250: Teaching The American Revolution This School Year
Join PBS for a look at how to teach the Revolutionary era using content from The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.
You will leave with new resources and tools for teaching the Revolutionary era through documentary film, focused on connecting the past to the present and strengthening students’ civics skills, while also hearing insider perspectives that are sure to engage and excite learners of all ages. Registration link.
Retro Report has a collection of materials for teaching about migration and immigration
This collection, including videos and webinars explores immigration and migration issues at particular points in the recent history of the United States. Collection link is here. Check out their website for resources on more topics. The website link is here.
Read our back to school blog here. Check out our Substack for more blogs, newsletters and timely news you can use!
Check out Civic Education resources from Civics in Real Life/Florida Citizen/University of Central Florida
Find lessons on topics from The information ecosystem, Memorial Day, and Gerrymandering, to Female Firsts and The Tuskegee Airmen available for download.
Teaching Historical Writing? Find resources with OER.
Find great and abundant resources from The OER Project on historical writing and many other topics. Link to resources here.
The 2026 Local Letters for Global Change contest is open!
K-12 students: Make your voice heard this fall by writing a letter to a local elected representative that explains the global issue you want them to prioritize, shows how it connects to your local community, and proposes a solution. Through this contest, students can practice global citizenship, civic action, and persuasive writing, all while exploring the underreported issues that matter to them through Pulitzer Center news stories.
Link for more information here.
