Learn how Action Civics can help improve instruction, school culture, academic and SEL outcomes, and youth civic engagement at The 2019 Mikva Challenge Action Civics Summer Institute — July 18th and 19th at Loyola University Chicago.
The high demands placed on teachers overwhelm even the most seasoned educators. Teachers and administrators are being asked to master more instructional practices, diverse content, and achieve multiple impacts on students — often without adequate support, curriculum and training. Some of these demands include:
The Action Civics Summer Institute will support teachers and districts in addressing these goals, easing the stress and building purposeful, positive student outcomes.
Educators from districts around the country will engage in interactive workshops to deeply explore Mikva’s Action Civics pedagogy and process. Participants will learn practical skills for improving student engagement and academic performance by harnessing the power of student voice, social emotional learning, authentic civic action and democratic classrooms and schools. Now in its third year, the Summer Institute is designed to be responsive to current demands on educators and administrators. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers, see examples of student voice in action, and work collaboratively with district teams to plan their own customized youth civic engagement and instruction plan. The Summer Institute will feature our highly regarded curricula including Mikva’s new Issues to Action units with added lessons on equity and engagement and news literacy. These lessons will help your students learn how to take informed action in their communities and the lessons will support teachers in guiding students through a high quality, project based learning process.
The Institute will be hosted at Loyola University Chicago at 6511 N. Sheridan Rd, in the Damen Student Center.
Participants can choose one of three pathways at the Institute:
Educators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.
Educators with some experience implementing Mikva Challenge curriculum beyond Project Soapbox who are interested in expanding the scope of their action civics instruction as well as refining their practice.
School and district leaders interested in developing a comprehensive plan to integrate Action Civics practices and programs across schools and across disciplines.
Come join us a day before the Institute to observe Mikva students in action. Learn about Mikva’s Youth Policy Councils and visit them during their “Think Tank Summer” process. Then debrief and create your own vision for utilizing youth voice for policy change in your schools, neighborhoods, organizations and cities. Senior Program Director, Steven Rosado will lead the experience, sharing challenges and impacts with the cohort.
Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Thursday, July 18th and Friday, July 19th 8am-4pm
Breakfast and lunch included each day
CPDU’s available for Illinois teachers
The School of Education at Loyola University Chicago is offering three (3) graduate credits for those who would like to enroll in a course based around the Acton Civics Institute. The course, CIEP 475 Curriculum Workshop, would be an online/in-person hybrid. Enrollees would meet 2.5 hours per week online from July 1-August 9 ; the Action Civics Institute would make up the in-person meeting time. The course will deepen and extend the Institute’s content with the final product being curriculum designed for use in your classroom. Course tuition is $1423.50 ($474.50/credit) and the class will run if 20 enroll. Teacher can sign up until July 2nd at (web link forthcoming).
O’Hare International Airport, it is the closest airport to the university campus but public transportation requires a train and two bus rides. Midway Airport is farther away but can be reached on public transportation more easily (two trains).
More information on transportation, lodging and nearby restaurants can be found here.
