Better Conversations Together for K-12 American History and Civics Professional Development
July 7-8, 2026
James Madison's Montpelier, Orange, VA
The Madison Center along with the National Issues Forums Institute and James Madison's Montpelier are thrilled to offer K-12 teachers in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and West Virginia an opportunity to deepen their skills in using civic discourse to teach American history and civics during America's 250th.
High-quality professional development is essential to strong civic education. Research consistently shows that professional learning experiences that are sustained, content-focused, and collaborative lead to meaningful improvements in teaching practice and student learning outcomes. Our Summer Deliberative Professional Development Workshop is designed with these evidence-based principles in mind, bringing together teachers, historians, and civic education specialists for an immersive learning experience that equips educators to foster thoughtful civic engagement in their classrooms. Participants will join a vibrant community of educators committed to strengthening students’ understanding of democratic principles and preparing them to engage in civic life.
The workshop provides hands-on training in deliberation facilitation. Teachers will learn structured strategies unique to their grade level for guiding productive classroom discussions about complex and often controversial topics. Drawing on well-established deliberative pedagogy, participants will practice framing public issues, moderating respectful dialogue, and creating classroom environments where students can engage with multiple perspectives while developing critical thinking and civic reasoning skills.
Finally, educators will gain practical experience in the application of National Issues Forums Institute issue guides. Through collaborative workshops and simulated classroom activities, participants will learn how to implement and adapt these updated guides for a variety of classroom settings. The goal is to ensure teachers leave with ready-to-use tools and the confidence to facilitate meaningful student deliberations on public issues.
Travel and implementation stipends:
Teachers attending the in-person seminar will be eligible for travel stipends, with a portion reserved for educators working in schools serving underserved populations, as well as implementation stipends to support classroom use of the materials after the workshop. Together, these supports ensure teachers can bring what they learn directly back to their students and school communities.
