Motivating Agency, Sustaining the Republic

Monday, September 22

8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

NIU Conference Center

1120 E. Diehl Rd.

Naperville, IL 60563

Breakout Sessions Include:

• AI for Research and Writing: Or How I Learned to Embrace AI Without Fearing Plagiarism and Losing My Mind
• Bridging Divides Through Civil Discourse: Empowering Students to Find Common Ground
• Can the President Do That?: Resources for Teaching About Executive Power
• Civic Harmony: Navigating Multiple Perspectives in our American Constitutional Democracy
• Civic Virtue and Civil Society: Fostering Informed and Active Citizenship
• Civics Resources for Dialogue and Inquiry
• Legal Precedent in Unprecedented Times
• Methods for Engaging Multilingual Learners in Civic Inquiry
• Model UN: A Civic Learning Powerhouse
• Q&A on the Role of the Courts in Our System of Checks and Balances
• Religious Upstanders in Nazi Germany
• SCOTUS Preview
• Unlock Your Students' Civic Superpowers
• What’s in the Mix for 2026? Looking to the Midterms

For more information and registration links, click HERE



We reached out to some of our presenters and favorite civic learning partners to see what their summer reading recommendation are for some #PoolsidePD. Here are some of their selections linked to Good Reads if you would like more information.

Catherine Hawke, Associate Director for the American Bar Association Division for Public Education:

• Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard: Weaves together the story of President Garfield's assinination, his murderer and the rise of modern medical practices. About to be made into a Netflix series by the producers of Game of Thrones. 

• Scorpions by Noah Feldman: A deep and extensive look at FDR's Supreme Court Justices, how they shaped the New Deal and the future of America. 

• Imbeciles by Adam Cohen: A detailed look into the 1927 Supreme Court case of Buck v. Bell, allowing for forced sterilization. Ties together the individual story of Carrie Buck against the backdrop of the eugenics movement. 

• The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson: A look at the day to day life of the Churchill family during England's darkest days during WWII. 

Shawn Healy, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy at iCivics: I recommend Lovely One by Kentanji Brown Jackson. It's a compelling autobiography by our country's first African-American female Supreme Court Justice. Her story charts the uneven progress of the US on racial and gender equality through her ascension to the federal bench. Listeners to the audio book are treated to the Justice's personal narration over 18 hours!

Heidi Moisan, Senior School Programs Manager at the Chicago History Museum

For young people:

• The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon: Set in 1968 Chicago, Sam, a young teen struggles with his place in the Civil Rights movement. His father is a famous Civil Rights leader and espouses peaceful protest and non violence, however his older brother is challenging the status quo and becoming interested in the Black Panther Party. The sequel Fire in the Streets continues the story through the perspective of other characters.

• The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson: Dramatic and detailed comic book style graphics help tell the story of key figures, major events, and actions of the Black Panther Party. The novel explores the Black Panther Party’s cultural and political significance and enduring legacy.

For Adults: The Barn by Wright Thompson: A shocking and revelatory account of the murder of Emmett Till. Laying bare the global forces that converged on the Mississippi Delta in the long lead up to the crime and how the truth was hidden for so long.

Dee Runaas, Project Director at the Constitutional Democracy Project at the Chicago-Kent College of Law: The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens by Richard Haass. The ten obligations that Haass introduces reenvisions what it means to be an American citizen, to commit to our fellow citizens and counter the growing apathy, anger, and violence that threatens our democracy. This book is a good blend of civics, history, and political analysis.

Check back in July for even more reading recommendations!

The ABA is excited to partner with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to host the Judge John F. Grady Virtual Summer Teachers Institute and Court Field Trips, sponsored by the Honorable John F. Grady Endowment. The endowment is named for the late Judge Grady, who passed away in December 2019 after 39 years of distinguished service as a judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Join an enriching day to look at how stare decisis and precedent works in theory and in day-to-day practice, as well as study some historic moments when courts have overturned precedent. Participants will also be challenged to come up with their own assessments of when, how, and why courts can or should overturn precedent. This Institute will equip teachers to answers students’ difficult questions on issues recently and currently before the U.S. Supreme Court and provide broad insight into this important legal concept.

The 2025 Grady Institute will be at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago. Meals and materials are included. Participants will be reimbursed for parking and train or bus fare.

Date: July 16, 202

Location: Dirksen Federal Building, Chicago, IL

Click here for more information



Facing History & Ourselves invites you and your educators to join us this summer! Below are our in-person professional learning opportunities. For questions please email Chicago@facinghistory.org. 

Teaching Democracy and Freedom

Facing History’s Approach to US History

June 17 - 18, 2025

9:00am - 3:00pm 

Erikson Institute, 451 N LaSalle, Chicago, Il

Facing History & Ourselves supports educators in creating learning environments where students are able to grapple with the complex histories, choices, and actions of individuals, groups, and institutions in the past and present. Facing History's new US History Curriculum Collection focuses on themes of democracy and freedom, and provides resources for historical inquiry-based learning while developing students' civic agency skills using a range of sources that can both shape and supplement existing curricula. 

Who should take this workshop: 10th grade US history educators from Chicago Public Schools; Educators from outside CPS who teach upper middle school social studies or humanities and high school educators

Register Here

Confronting a Violent Past: Red Summer in Chicago

July 23 - 24, 2025

9:00am - 3:00pm 

Erikson Institute, 451 N La Salle Chicago, Il

About the workshop: Red Summer was part of a nationwide wave of racist violence against African Americans that occurred from April to November of 1919. This watershed event is part of our shared American past and its legacy's impact today. Join Facing History to engage in discussions about Red Summer in Chicago and how to bring this history to high school classrooms.

Who should take this workshop: 9th–12th grade US history, civics, humanities, ethnic studies, and African American history teachers and curriculum specialists

Register Here

Identity and Community: An Introduction to 6th Grade Social Studies

August 7, 2025

9:00am - 3:00pm 

Erikson Institute, 451 N La Salle Chicago, Il

About the workshop: This Facing History curriculum and professional learning will support educators as they engage students in thinking critically about issues of identity and community in history and in their own lives. The activities in the unit have been designed to develop a sense of community and belonging that promotes learning and encourages students to share ideas, take risks, and help each other. 

Who should take this workshop: 6th grade social studies and humanities teachers from Chicago Public Schools and middle school humanities teachers from outside CPS

Register Here



May is a month to commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Memorial Day. The Illinois Inclusive History Calendar provides a plethora of resources to help classrooms celebrate.

The Library of Congress has joined with other federal agencies to curate resources around these events as well.

• Caribbean American Hertiage Month
• Flag Day
• Immigrant Heritage Month
• Juneteenth
• Pride Month



Teaching about Holocaust Denial and Distortion in the Digital Age

June 9, 2025 - June 22, 2025

Participate in this online course for a guided, facilitator-led exploration of Echoes & Reflections resources that support the teaching of Holocaust Denial and Distortion in the digital age. Participants will gain crucial understanding of how antisemitic tropes and hate speech related to the Holocaust is utilized and learn research-backed strategies to challenge students to think critically and empower them to recognize and reject antisemitic hate speech.

Course Details:

• Course opens June 9th at 7AM ET; approximately 4 hours to complete in total – at no cost.
• Proceed at your own pace each week, be supported by an instructor, and enjoy interaction with other educators.
• Complete all activities for a 4-hour certificate.
• Graduate credit available through the University of the Pacific. Please visit their site for more information. 

Click HERE for more information

Civic Online Reasoning in Your Context:

Learn how to integrate digital literacy instruction into the courses you teach. 

Wednesday, June 18, at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET. Click here to register.

Learn more and sign up for webinars and online courses on the DIG summer professional development page. All of these opportunities are available at no cost.



KQED media making courses are built by educators who are also experts at media creation. Whether you’re curious about making podcasts, videos, infographics, or exploring how to use generative AI responsibly with students, KQED instructors understand the realities of the classroom and the power of storytelling. Each self-paced course is hands-on, relevant, and designed to build both your creative confidence and your instructional toolkit. KQUED even has a new GenAI course to help you learn how to confidently incorporate this new technology into your classroom projects.

Explore free online courses and live workshops on KQED Teach and bring media making into your teaching practice—on your own time, and while earning grad units in return.



The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is pleased to announce the publication of the AP African American Studies Guide, a centuries-spanning, expert-led, document-based exploration of Black history. You can view their free study guide to see the following:

• 150+ primary source documents, essays from History Now, historian lectures, and videos from Inside the Vault and Book Breaks
• 180+ resources from archives and collections around the world, each designated by the College Board as relevant resources for the AP test
• 88 short videos from the Black History in Two Minutes (or so) series, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and featuring scholars from across the field of African American Studies
• 25 learning resources created by Edward L. Ayers and the team at New American History and Bunk
• 23 maps courtesy of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, at the New York Public Library
• Artwork courtesy of the Bryan Museum and MTA Arts & Design



The Case Method Institute (CMI) is offering no-cost professional development opportunities this summer for high school teachers of U.S. history, government, and civics. These programs introduce educators to the case method and the History of American Democracy case collection, developed by CMI founder Professor David Moss of Harvard Business School.

Educators who complete the PD gain access to:

• 22 Harvard-developed cases on pivotal moments in U.S. democratic history
• Comprehensive teaching materials
• Ongoing, personalized support from CMI staff

Teachers from all school types and settings have described the experience as a “game-changer” and “transformational,” citing significant improvements in students’ critical thinking, evidence-based argumentation, and civic engagement. 

Two Flexible Pathways to Participate:

• Live Zoom-Based Workshop
• Takes place on Wednesday, June 18, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. This dynamic session features a live case discussion with Professor Moss and a Q&A with experienced educators. Includes 3–5 hours of preparatory self-paced work.
• Asynchronous Program
• Start at any time. This fully self-paced option requires 8–10 hours to complete and provides the quickest way to begin using the case method. Participants may also join an optional live teacher panel after completion.

Apply now to join either program and bring the case method to your classroom.

If you're not ready to apply, sign up for the mailing list to be notified of future opportunities.



The Trump administration’s attempts to freeze or cancel billions of dollars in federal spending have reopened a constitutional debate over the power of the purse – Congress’s authority to appropriate taxpayer money.

At the center is impoundment, an executive maneuver to withhold funds that Congress has appropriated. This short doc revisits the last major impoundment clash, under President Richard Nixon, which led to the passage of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. With federal courts now weighing in and Congress divided over the current administration’s actions, legal scholars and historians explore what’s at stake when a president challenges the laws that govern federal spending.



This new lesson and activity are perfect for any Civics & Government course. They will help students analyze constitutional powers and checks and balances.

Subjects: AP US Government & Politics, Government/Civics

Grade Level: 9-12

Explore New Resources



A new report from More in Common analyzes Gen Z’s attitudes toward democracy and finds that young Americans, while largely not inclined toward authoritarianism, are underwhelmed with the country’s current version of democracy.



Jessica Wolff and Nan Mead of the Center for Educational Equity demonstrate that civic learning is developmentally appropriate for elementary students in the latest DemocracyReadyNY report titled, “Civic Learning Is a Whole-Child, Whole School Endeavor.” However, civic learning suffers in the early grades from a dearth of time and resources, inadequate teacher preparation and support, and unequal opportunities for marginalized students.

Wolff and Mead offer eight recommendations to overcome these challenges:

1. The early grades are formative and an opportunity to establish healthy civic habits. They are among students’ first experiences engaging with community beyond family.
2. Elementary students should have opportunities to experience civic activities with proper guidance, like classroom-based projects.
3. Early civic learning opportunities must be developmentally appropriate and differentiated to the unique needs of each learner. A neighborhood cleanup campaign qualifies. 
4. Elementary schools should focus on civic values and develop a sense that each student is an integral member of the community. Wolff and Mead write, “Civic education is a whole-school endeavor.” The larger school experience, including the bus, cafeteria, and playground, shapes students’ civic identity.
5. Civic learning opportunities must be multidisciplinary and multimodal: Social studies should have dedicated instructional time, but civic learning opportunities abound across the curriculum (e.g., laws of probability in math). Additionally, civic learning must include a mix of direct instruction and student-centered activities such as class discussions of local issues.
6. Schools should account for interpersonal and systemic issues affecting marginalized students’ access to civic learning. For example, funding disparities often lead to a narrowed curriculum that crowds out civics. It is also important that this racially and ethnically diverse generation of students have mirrors and windows within the curriculum that reflect them and their peers, respectively.
7. Build upon what skilled elementary teachers already do, linking instructional practices to civic knowledge, skills, and mindsets students are developing (e.g., media literacy instruction).
8. Civic learning is a collaborative effort between teachers and administrators, schools, parents, and the surrounding community: “Bringing families and the community members into school decisions, fostering an environment of open communication, trust, and confidence in teachers and school leaders, can help stave off worries about indoctrination or fears of being ‘out of control’ of their children’s education.”



Registration is open for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's 2025 Belfer National Conference for Holocaust Education, taking place June 23-25. At this free, virtual professional learning conference, educators will explore the latest practices in accurate, meaningful teaching about the Holocaust with Museum historians and educators. Find new sessions that demonstrate how to integrate Holocaust history into both ELA and social studies instruction.

• Learn how to use classroom resources, find inspiration in new ideas, and grow with peers dedicated to teaching about the Holocaust.
• Join concise sessions that offer instructional strategies paired with historically accurate, classroom-ready resources based on the Museum’s extensive collection.
• Learn from the Museum’s historians and educators through live, interactive sessions, or watch recordings on demand at your convenience.
• Engage with Museum Teacher Fellows, experienced educators who offer practical advice on strategies and tools for your classroom.
• Connect in real time with a community of educators dedicated to teaching and learning about the Holocaust.
• Share the experience and use discussion guides to collaborate with educators in your area.

Don’t forget, educators earn 24 certified professional development hours in most states, receive free resources, and get streamlined access to registration, live sessions, and on-demand viewing through a new, virtual conference platform. Register Now at ushmm.org/2025BelferLeaders



Hometown is coming to Chicago this fall! The Supreme Court and My Hometown program is an immersive federal court learning experience from the Supreme Court Historical Society designed to teach high school students about the Judicial Branch through a Supreme Court case that originated in their hometown. This prestigious program allows students to engage with federal judges, attorneys, local professors, historians, and community members as they investigate cases and explore how a case moves through the federal (and state) court system.

More information and applications for each program can be found on the Society’s website.

Learn More



Join the AHA and thousands of people united by a shared passion for history at the 139th annual meeting of the AHA in Chicago from Thursday, January 8 to Sunday, January 11, 2026. The largest gathering of historians in the world, the conference brings together historians, including K-12 educators, working in a diverse array of settings to discuss professional issues, the latest research, new publications and resources, and much more. The AHA will partner with the Chicago History Museum to provide Illinois Professional Development credit for eligible attendees.

Registration will open mid-September, 2025. Sign up for news and updates from the AHA or join the AHA as a member to ensure you don’t miss important updates about the meeting.

K–12 teachers can register for the AHA conference at a significantly discounted rate of more than 50% off the regular cost of registration. Registration will open in mid-September 2025.

The first draft of the 2025 Summer Social Studies Professional Development opportunities spreadsheet is now available. As you take a peek, anything that is NOT highlighted is currently open.

There are SO many great opportunities for next summer!

Many thanks to Stefanie Wager at the Iowa Department of Education for creating this calendar and updating the spreadsheet as more opportunities open.