Jacksonville, AL – As orgainlly reported by Brett Buckener with JSU’s media department, four Jacksonville State University senior secondary education students participated in the National Constitution Center’s inaugural preservice teacher professional development workshop in Philadelphia this summer, joining future educators from across the country to explore civic education, classroom instruction and professional development.
Emma Brown, Elijah Cantrell, Jaidyn Gossett and Jasmine Gillis attended the workshop, which focused on providing future teachers with resources and instructional strategies for teaching American history, government, economics and civic engagement.
The program brought together students from universities nationwide for discussions, presentations and hands-on learning opportunities designed to prepare them for their teaching careers.
Ryan Beaudoin, professional learning specialist for the National Constitution Center (NCC), said the organization developed the workshop after recognizing a need for professional development specifically designed for students preparing to enter the teaching profession.
“We knew that providing something specific and targeted for those who are yet to begin their careers would have a far greater impact,” Beaudoin said.
Unlike the NCC’s traditional professional learning programs, which emphasize presentations from multiple scholars, the inaugural workshop focused on practical classroom applications.
The Jack Miller Center partnered with the NCC to provide instructional strategies for teaching the Declaration of Independence, while the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia offered resources for incorporating financial literacy into classroom lessons.
Participants also explored historical sites in Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, and attended discussions about American history and civic responsibility.
Brown said the opportunity to exchange ideas with future educators from different backgrounds reinforced the importance of civil discourse.
“Hearing different opinions on topics and having civil debates with people from different backgrounds was a wonderful experience,” Brown said. “We all had common ground in loving history, but we all wanted to further our education more.”
Brown said she intends to encourage students in her future classroom to develop informed opinions while respecting differing viewpoints.
“I want my students to listen to each other but also have their own opinion in a civic discussion,” she said.
During the workshop, participants heard from Ralph Young, a history professor at Temple University, who discussed the role of dissent throughout American history.
Brown said the discussion reinforced the importance of presenting historical events comprehensively rather than selectively.
“This scholarly talk opened my eyes immensely to the idea that we must teach the whole truth of history, not just the parts we want,” she said.
Gillis said the workshop introduced resources that could help new teachers develop lesson plans and address subjects they may initially find challenging.
“For my future career, this opportunity allowed me to consider how I could teach American history in a way that is both relevant to students and covering all standards,” Gillis said.
She specifically noted a session on economics that provided sample teaching strategies and access to educational materials.
Cantrell said visiting the National Constitution Center and participating in its educational activities helped him better understand how historical content can be presented to students.
“They also took us to different museums within the building as well as taught us different methods and pedagogies on how to teach the Constitution,” Cantrell said.
He added that interacting with other aspiring teachers influenced his understanding of the profession and strengthened his commitment to educating future generations.
Gossett also emphasized the professional resources made available through the program.
“It has opened my eyes to how many resources are available to teachers,” Gossett said. “I am appreciative of Ryan and the other faculty at the NCC for caring so deeply about the future educators.”
The students participated through a partnership involving Jax State’s Center for Leadership and American Principles (CLAP) and the National Constitution Center.
Dr. Benjamin Gross, director of CLAP, said the partnership provides students with educational experiences and connections to nationally recognized organizations.
“By connecting Jax State with the NCC, CLAP opened opportunities for our students that would not otherwise exist,” Gross said.
Gross described the collaboration as an opportunity to showcase Jax State’s teacher preparation programs while expanding access to civic education resources.
Dr. Brandon Gilliland, chair of Jax State’s Ed.D. program and co-director of CLAP, said professional development experiences outside traditional coursework can provide long-term benefits for future educators.
“They gain greater confidence in their content knowledge, see practical models for engaging students in complex issues, and begin building a network of organizations and professionals they can draw upon throughout their careers,” Gilliland said.
He added that the value of the experience will ultimately depend on how participants incorporate what they learned into their classrooms.
For Brown, one of the workshop’s lasting lessons was the importance of creating an environment where students can discuss difficult subjects respectfully and develop their own informed perspectives.
“Teachers need to make their classroom an open space for students to grow and listen to each other,” Brown said.
The workshop provided the four Jax State students with instructional resources, professional connections and experiences they plan to apply as they begin their teaching careers.
