UWF’s Academy of American Civic Republicanism hosts first Summer Institute for Secondary Civics Educators

The University of West Florida's Academy of American Civic Republicanism recently welcomed middle and high school educators and scholars to campus for its first annual Summer Institute for Civics Educators, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The institute is an intensive program exploring the principles, history and enduring significance of the American constitutional tradition and civic republicanism.

Held in two sessions in June and July, the Summer Institute brought 56 middle and high school educators together with scholars from UWF and institutions across the country for seminars, small-group discussions, lesson-planning workshops, debate instruction and place-based learning activities. The program was designed to deepen educators' understanding of America's founding documents and constitutional traditions while equipping them with practical tools to bring those ideas into their classrooms.

"The best sort of civic education begins by having students wrestle with the words of the Founders themselves," said Dr. Zachary McCulley, program director for the Academy of American Civic Republicanism. "We wanted teachers to leave with greater confidence in helping students do that - to be able to read and reason well with the original sources."

The institute's programming explored the American founding and constitutional government through a range of historical and contemporary perspectives, with particular attention to the nation's approach to the 250th anniversary of American independence. Sessions examined the First and Second Continental Congresses, the Declaration of Independence, natural rights and declarations of rights, the Alien and Sedition Acts, competing interpretations of equality, the Dred Scott decision and Abraham Lincoln's response, Progressive-era interpretations of the Founding, civic responsibility and constitutional government.

The program featured instructors from UWF and other institutions, including Dr. C.C. Borzilleri of the Bill of Rights Institute, Dr. Micah Harris of Duke University, Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Nicolas McAfee of Christendom College. UWF faculty and staff also contributed to the institute, including Dr. Zachary McCulley; Dr. Melissa Dow, visiting assistant instructor in the Reuben O'D. Askew Department of Government; Dr. Clifford Humphrey, executive director of the Academy; Dr. Adam Blood, assistant professor of communication and director of the UWF Speech and Debate program; Melissa Gonzalez, information and research services librarian, Rachel Hines, public archaeologist coordinator for Florida Public Archaeology Network; Michael Thomin, assistant director of education and interpretation and faculty senior research associate for FPAN; Phillip Mayhair, museum educator and living history coordinator for the UWF Historic Trust; and Matt Santillo, museum educator and group and school tour coordinator for the UWF Historic Trust.

"We are blessed to have such great middle and high school civics teachers in our region," said Dr. Clifford Humphrey. "It was an honor to get to meet them and to help channel their enthusiasm for American history and for their students into furthering their own education on these important subjects."

Rather than limiting the institute to lectures, organizers incorporated daily opportunities for participants to apply what they learned. Educators worked collaboratively to develop lesson plans and considered ways to use discussion and debate to help students engage with complex questions about the nation's founding and constitutional development. Additional place-based learning at the Florida Public Archaeology Network and UWF Historic Trust connected historical and civic themes to the local community, giving educators an opportunity to explore how historic sites and community resources can become tools for teaching civics.

"I think the Summer Institute is a beautiful example of how the University can contribute to the broader community by playing to our strengths and educating the educators in our community," said Dr. Melissa Dow. "These teachers are shaping the students who will guide the world we live in thirty years from now. I want to live in a world shaped by people who understand natural rights and the rule of law and how to disagree productively, and I hope that this Institute has made that a little more likely."

The Summer Institute is part of the Academy of American Civic Republicanism's broader mission to promote civic education and constitutional literacy. Through teacher professional development, public lectures, academic conferences, student programming and community outreach, the Academy seeks to strengthen civic knowledge and encourage informed citizenship and thoughtful engagement with the American constitutional tradition.

The Academy's work reflects UWF's growing role in civic and constitutional education, providing opportunities for educators, scholars, students and community members to examine the ideas and institutions that have shaped the American republic. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, programs such as the Summer Institute provide educators with opportunities to explore the historical foundations of American government while considering how those ideas can be meaningfully taught to the next generation.

For more information about the Academy of American Civic Republicanism, visit uwf.edu/AACR.