Democracy's Good News: How teachers are creating future citizens

Kimberly Huffman and Allison Sheridan are educating the next generation of democratic citizens

We begin our Democracy's Good News series in the classroom. Specifically, social studies classrooms at a vocational high school in Ohio and a middle school in Florida. That's where you'll find Kimberly Huffman and Allison Sheridan, two teachers who received the 2023 American Civic Education Teacher Award.

They talked with us about how their backgrounds influenced their decisions to become teachers, how they incorporate viewpoint diversity and civil discourse into their lessons, and the transformations they've witnessed in their students.

Kimberly Huffman, teaching in Ohio, discusses her personal connection to government assistance, which influenced her decision to become a civics teacher. She emphasizes the importance of civil dialogue, understanding diverse opinions, and appreciating the freedom to disagree in shaping informed citizens.

"I want to provide my students empowerment, I want them to be aware of their own political efficacy. That is always been the driving force for me, I never want them to feel a victim in their situation, or not able to get out of the current situation they're in. I hope I serve as a role model for that," Huffman shared.

Allison Sheridan, teaching in Florida, reveals her passion for teaching social studies to combat the lack of knowledge about government among Americans. She incorporates interactive activities and strives to equip students with skills to discuss politics civilly, especially in the age of new technology.

"One of the reasons I wanted to teach social studies is that, when I was an under grad, I read a study that said Americans knew more about the Simpsons than they did about their own government. I wanted to change that," Sheridan said.

Click here to listen to the episode. You can watch the interview here.

If you want to learn more about the good work being done to strengthen civics education across the United States, check out some of the events happening as part of Civic Learning Week from March 11-15. You can also follow the work of CivXNow, the nations largest cross-partisan coalition aimed at ensuring that every young person acquires the civic knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary for participation in our democracy.