Better Conversations Together for K-12 American History and Civics Professional Development
Interest and Registration Form
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.
Agenda Outline
Tuesday July 7, 2026
11:30-12:00pm: Arrive, pick up name badge and materials
12:00-1:00pm: Introductions, getting to know you, and agenda review
1:00-1:30pm: Experience deliberating “1776: What Should We Do?”
1:30-1:45pm: BREAK with snacks
1:45-3:30pm: Tour of Madison’s house
3:30-3:45pm: BREAK with snacks
3:45-4:30pm: Debrief deliberation and hour tour experience; foundations of deliberative pedagogy for K-12 classrooms workshop
4:30-5:00: BREAK
5:00-6:00pm: Exploring the deliberation materials workshop
6:00-8:00pm Dinner and conversation on the portico
Wednesday July 8, 2026
7-8:00am: Optional sunrise/pre-breakfast woods walk and tour of Madison family cemetery
8:00-8:30am: Breakfast
8:30-10:00am: Bill of Rights tour on the landscape
10:00-10:15am: Break
10:15-12:00pm: Deliberating “What’s Next America?” and debrief
12:00-12:30pm: LUNCH and lecture: James Madison and the 250th
12:30-1:45pm: Skills for facilitating civic discourse and historic decisions workshop
1:45-2:00pm BREAK with snacks
2:00-3:30pm: Practice and skill building facilitating in small groups
3:30-4:00pm: Conclusion – assessment, PLC overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Above is an outline version of the agenda. You can find a detailed agenda with workshop descriptions here.
In addition to seminars on the Constitution, the Declaration and civic context, participants will get a tour of James Madison’s house and a morning Bill of Rights focused tour of the grounds with Madison experts. Participants will also have ample hands-on learning opportunities to experience deliberation and practice using materials in a class-like setting.
All workshops will be held in the Lewis Hall classroom space at James Madison’s Montpelier. Lewis Hall is a private meeting building on site at James Madison’s Montpelier complete with air conditioning and state of the art learning equipment.
Please park in front of the James Madison’s Montpelier guest information building.
All participants will have a private room on site at James Madison’s Montpelier in Constitution Village. The Village features furnished single rooms with bathrooms. Overnight accommodations are provided at no additional cost.
Summer is central Virginia can be hot and humid. We will be outside during the house tour and grounds tour, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing and a hat. You may also want to consider a light sweater for wearing inside the classroom.
Yes! We will provide all teachers with materials aligning with Virginia state standards of learning.
You can register online here:
Space is limited to 30 participants, so please register early.
The deadline to register is June 15, 2026. Accepted participants will be notified by June 19, 2026.
All teachers are invited to participate in the Deliberative Democracy Professional Learning Community, focused on implementing civic discourse and deliberation in the classroom. The PLC meets online monthly and provides teachers with additional support in facilitating difficult conversations in the classroom, how to encourage and implement deliberation, and building quality assignments. Each PLC is led by a former K-12 educator with expertise in deliberation in the classroom, ensuring teachers receive quality ongoing professional development.
Participants will receive a $500 stipend for joining and engaging in the PLC.
