BRI Teacher Council Member Inspires Interest In Government
<p><em>By Rosemarie Timothy</em></p>
<p>Government teachers have a unique opportunity in front of us. When it seems like our country is divided and unable to listen to one another, we can plant seeds with the next generation to inspire a newfound interest in government.</p>
<p>Moreover, when the public is speculating with fear about what is happening in the classroom, it provides an opportunity for teachers to change the narrative about teaching government and showcase why it is essential and does not align with the fear that is narrated in the news. We can teach our students to understand someone who views the world differently than them, and teach them how to share their viewpoints in a respectful way.</p>
<p>Furthermore, we can teach and cultivate a generation engaged and interested in participating in our government for the betterment of others, and taking our country’s values to heart so they seek new opportunities to promote and uphold liberty, equality, and justice in the world around them. In my classroom, I spend a considerable amount of time teaching students how to engage in civic discourse with their classmates while striving to achieve common goals.</p>
<p>I believe when students can visualize their role in our country and how they contribute to the common good, the education that takes place will transcend the classroom walls. In my classroom, we focus on hands-on learning with mock trials, mock elections, mock Congress, and service projects. I believe experiential learning is necessary for students to engage with the material to make a lasting impact.</p>
<p>Additionally, staying in tune with current events allows students to make real world connections between classroom material and events happening in real time. Our students recently learned about Congress. While we examine the Constitution and its history, students are also engaged in the voting process for the Speaker of the House.</p>
<p>It is an exciting moment as a teacher when a student’s first question in the classroom is, what is the update with the Speaker? Or even sharing how they discussed the vote with their parents at home after school or want to watch the vote in real time. We expanded our conversations to reflect critically with a writing prompt to examine if the Speaker election process is an example of democracy failing or thriving.</p>
<p>It is great to watch students make connections with constitutional principles and examine democracy in action. I believe allowing students to formulate their own opinions creates the necessary connections for them to become more invested in the government moving forward.</p>
<p>It is not our role as a teacher to tell them one side or way is right or wrong, but to put forth the information for students to examine critically and arrive at their own opinion. I am excited to see how my students continue to participate in civics education, both inside and outside of the classroom!</p>
<p><em>Rosemarie Timothy teaches government at The Master’s Academy in Oviedo, FL. She is also a member of the Bill of Rights Institute National Teacher Council.</em></p>