Summer Institute for Civics Educators
The Summer Institute for Civics Educators is an annual program hosted by the University of West Florida Academy of American Civic Republicanism, funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant since 2026. This professional development opportunity, designed for middle and high school teachers of civics, U.S. history, and related subjects, provides close study of primary sources and guided discussions with expert faculty, exploring key themes in American political thought and citizenship.
Upcoming Summer Institutes for Civics Educators
Summer 2026 | The Declaration of Independence and its Legacy: Looking Back on 250 Years
The Academy of American Civic Republicanism is pleased to host five-day Institutes for teachers of Middle and High School ELA, Middle School Civics and United States History, and High School United States History and United States Government.
Application deadlines:
- April 5, 2026 to be considered for the June 8–12 seminar;
- May 3, 2026 to be considered for the July 13–17 seminar.
Participants will receive course readings by mail at least two weeks before the Institute, and should prepare the readings in advance of the Institute. Morning sessions will focus on discussion of primary source material, led by experienced faculty with expertise in the subject area. Afternoon sessions will focus on the development and review of lesson plans using this primary source material in the classroom.
All teachers who complete the Institute will receive a certificate of completion and a $1,250 stipend. Participants will be expected to make their own travel & lodging arrangements and to provide their own meals.
2026 Topics and Presenters
In 2026 we will run the same program in two different weeks.
Week 1: June 8–12: Dr. C.C. Borzilleri (Bill of Rights Institute) and Dr. Micah Harris (Duke University)
Week 2: July 13–17: Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos (Wyoming Catholic College) and Dr. Nicholas McAfee (Christendom College)
Monday
Session 1: The First Continental Congress
Session 2: British Responses and the Second Continental Congress
Tuesday:
Session 1: Readings selected by guest speaker (Dr. Borzilleri or Dr. Papadopoulos)
Session 2: Early State Constitutions and Declarations of Rights
Wednesday:
Session 1: The Dred Scott debate over the Declaration
Session 2: Uses of the Declaration by 19th Century Women's Rights advocates
Thursday:
Session 1: Readings selected by guest speaker (Dr. Harris or Dr. McAfee)
Session 2: Franklin D. Roosevelt's Reinterpretation of the Declaration on Equality
Friday:
Activities in downtown Pensacola in coordination with the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN).
Daily Schedule
9:00–10:30 Session 1
10:30–11:00 Break
11:00–12:30 Session 2
12:30–2:00 Lunch on your own
2:00–3:30 Classroom Application Session
Past Summer Institutes for Civics Educators
Through 2025, the Institute was supported by the generosity of the Jack Miller Center.
2025 | Citizenship and Statesmanship in the American Political Tradition
In July 2025, the University of West Florida, with support from the Jack Miller Center, hosted a three-day Institute in Pensacola for teachers from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Through the study of primary sources, the Institute explored the roles, rights and responsibilities of American citizens and examined examples of principled leadership in challenging periods of U.S. history. Scholar-led seminars were presented by Megan Russo (University of St. Thomas – Houston), Samuel Postell (Clemson University) and David Upham (University of Dallas).
Morning discussions focused on key historical texts and constitutional principles, while afternoon sessions emphasized classroom application, helping educators develop lesson plans and teaching strategies aligned with the materials. Participants who completed the Institute received a certificate of completion and a $300 stipend.
2024 | Voices of the American Political Tradition
In Summer 2024, the University of West Florida, with support from the Jack Miller Center, hosted a three-day Institute in Pensacola for teachers from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Titled Voices of the American Political Tradition, the Institute brought together educators to examine foundational texts and ideas central to the American political tradition. Scholar-led seminars were presented by Andrew Clayton (Baylor University), Lee Trepanier (Assumption University) and Thomas Pope (Lee University), providing participants the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussion and classroom-focused exploration of key political thinkers and themes.