Teach Democracy

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of our board of directors: Arwen Johnson of King & Spalding and Tony Oncidi of Proskauer Rose LLP! We are extremely grateful for their commitment to our organization, and we look forward to the new knowledge and experience they bring.

Happy Juneteenth! Did you know...? Before Juneteenth was made a national holiday in 2021, Black communities throughout the country commemorated the end of slavery on different dates. But how was emancipation celebrated by Black communities historically, before the American Civil War? This article and classroom activity takes a close look at the example of the State of New York. (This lesson was written in partnership with the New York Public Library’s Center for Educators and Schools.) Download for free here: https://lnkd.in/g6xXQKSd #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #NYPL #Education #AmericanHistory #HistoricalCelebration

Last week we hosted our Los Angeles Civic Action Project Expo and we were blown away by our incredible student participants! Each year we invite students from across LA to present the CAP projects they have worked on during the past school year. Each CAP project focuses on a community issue that matters to the student, with a focus on public policy solutions. This year’s projects tackled important topics including homelessness, mental healthcare access, climate change, inflation, and many more. Special thanks to Deputy Mayor Brenda Shockley and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto for speaking to the students about the power of youth civic engagement. Thank you to all of the community leaders who joined us, and congratulations to the students and teachers of LA School of Global Studies, LACES, Alliance Leichtman-Levine ESAT HS, and Legacy High School for your incredible work!

A new opportunity at Teach Democracy, formerly Constitutional Rights Foundation!

On #TDIH in 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising ended. After the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, they forced Polish Jews to live in city zones called ghettos. In summer 1942, the Nazis carried out mass deportations of over 300,000 Jews from the Warsaw ghetto, most of whom died in the Treblinka death camp. But in 1943, Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto carried out an armed rebellion that culminated in the uprising from April to May, which the Nazis finally crushed on May 16. For a high-school lesson with primary-source activities, click here: https://lnkd.in/d4sASeJV (Image shows the end of the uprising in May 1943, source: National Archives and Records Administration)

Breaking news! Trinity Pacific Christian School from Ventura, California, recently competed at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington, Delaware, and we couldn't be prouder of them! Competing against the nation's best mock trial teams, they clinched an 8th-place victory. And we are especially proud of Trinity Pacific Christian student Grace DeVico for securing the Best Attorney award. Congratulations on a job well done! You've made California proud. #CAMT #NHSMTC #MockTrial #CAMockTrial

📣Trinity Pacific Christian School is in Delaware this weekend to compete in the National High School Mock Trial Championship (NHSMTC) alongside teams from all over the country. We're sending our best wishes to the team as they go for the title. Go Trinity Pacific Christian School! 🎉 #NHSMTC #MockTrial #GoodLuckTeam #CAMT #CAMockTrial

Teach Democracy is excited to announce the coming of our 2024 Annual Celebration on October 1st. This year, we have two very special honorees: Kimberly Dunne and David Rodman. We thank them for supporting Teach Democracy’s mission to inspire lifelong civic engagement through interactive programs and resources for teachers and youth.

📣 CALLING ALL STUDENTS 2024 Civic Action Project Multimedia Contest Do you have a passion for making a difference? Teach Democracy's Civic Action Project (CAP) Multimedia Contest is your chance to shine! Use your creativity to share an issue you care about and inspire change! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to make your voice heard! Deadline: Thursday, May 16, 2024. Cash Prizes: $500 (First Place), $250 (Second Place), and $150 (Third Place). Let's make a difference together! Visit our Multimedia Contest page for more details https://lnkd.in/gidhiv9J. #CAP #MakeADifference #StudentContest #CivicActionProject

Last Thursday, Winston & Strawn hosted our 22nd Annual Justice James A. Cobey Reception. We were truly inspired by the exceptional service of Hon. Alex Ricciardulli, Barry Edwards, and Heather Steggell to Teach Democracy's programs. Hon. Alex Ricciardulli of the Los Angeles County Superior Court was recognized as Judge of the Year. Barry Edwards of Spiegelman and Edwards was named Attorney of the Year. Heather Steggell of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office received the Project LEAD Award. We appreciate these individuals and all the judges, attorneys, and law students who have volunteered to support Teach Democracy's programs.