Study founding documents and ideas with fellow Florida educators in standards-based professional development programs at no cost to teachers.
Through the American Civics and History Initiative, the Jack Miller Center is offering an array of content-based professional development to 6-12 grade civics, government, and history teachers across the state.
- Topics align with CPALMS standards
- No cost to teachers
- Explore primary sources
- Professor-led discussions
- Build lesson plans with colleagues
- Strengthen content knowledge
The Jack Miller Center conducts events throughout the calendar year. See below for more information about our 2021 spring and summer offerings.
Space is limited! Please contact Lauren Altobelli at laltobelli@gojmc.org for more information and to register for a JMC event.
Upcoming Events for Florida Teachers
JMC Virtual Seminars
April 10, 2021 – Freedom of Speech with Professor James M. Patterson
JMC is hosting a virtual seminar open to all Florida educators. Professor Patterson (Ave Maria University) will lead a primary source-based discussion on the freedom of speech as laid out in the Bill of Rights. After the discussion, Dr. Mark Malham, Martin County Social Studies Coordinator, and April Strong, Prevention Intervention Program Specialist, will lead a classroom application session.
May 1, 2021 – The Second Amendment with Professor Matthew Brogdon
JMC is hosting a virtual seminar open to all Florida educators. Professor Brogdon (University of Texas at San Antonio) will lead a primary source-based discussion on the historical development of the right to bear arms. After the discussion, Dr. Danton Kostandarithes, Bolles School (Jacksonville), will lead a classroom application session.
JMC Summer Institutes
Tentative: June 7-12, 2021 – The American Political Tradition
Professor David Ramsey (University of West Florida) will be hosting a virtual summer institute for teachers on the American Political Tradition.
June 21-25, 2021 – Religious Freedom in America: Past and Present
Professor James M. Patterson will be leading a summer institute for teachers on Ave Maria University’s campus focused on the history and development of religious liberty in America. Professor Patterson and other Ave Maria scholars will lead discussion sessions based on primary texts and Dr. Danton Kostandarithes of the Bolles School (Jacksonville) will lead curriculum application sessions.
July 12-16, 2021 – The American Founding: Fresh Perspectives for 2021
Professor Kevin Wagner and Dr. Kristin Shockley (Florida Atlantic University) will lead a virtual summer institute for teachers on America’s founding principles with a special focus on Alexander Hamilton and Hamilton: The Musical. The institute will also include application sessions led by representatives from the Center for Legislative Archives and the Center for the Study of the American Constitution.
If you’re interested in learning more about JMC teacher programs or would like to register for an event, contact Lauren Altobelli at laltobelli@gojmc.org.
ACHI Partner Events
Bill of Rights Institute
April 8, 2021 – A Conversation with Erin Gruwell: Teaching Difficult Topics through Storytelling
April 15, 2021 – A Conversation with Sonia Nazario: Teaching Immigration through Storytelling
Click here for the most up to date schedule of Bill of Rights Institute programs.
Ashbrook Center
For a complete list of Ashbrook Center programs, please click here.
The American Civics and History Initiative is a collaborative effort between three leading civics education organizations, the Jack Miller Center, the Ashbrook Center, and the Bill of Rights Institute. Working together, the organizations are offering content-based professional development to Florida.. K-12 teachers.
The initiative aims to help educators make their classrooms a place for serious and engaging conversation about the history and meaning of America’s fundamental principles. Over the course of the next two years, ACHI intends to reach nearly 7,000 Florida teachers through a variety of programs. In total, the three organizations will host 174 events ranging from webinars to five-day in-person institutes.
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