Jacksonville, AL — Elementary teachers across Alabama are invited to apply for a professional learning opportunity this summer at Jacksonville State University (Jax State), funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The 2026 Summer Civics Seminar will bring together educators from across the state for a week-long residential program designed to strengthen civic education in elementary classrooms. Teachers accepted into the program will receive a $500 honorarium, full travel reimbursement, free lodging, meals throughout the week, more than 50 hours of professional learning credit, and classroom-ready resources to use in their schools and communities.
Hosted June 14–19 on the Jax State campus, the seminar will include one teacher from each of Alabama’s 138 public school districts, along with 37 private school teachers from across the state. Organizers say the structure is intended to ensure representation from every region of Alabama.
In addition to current educators, the program will also accept 50 future teachers who are preparing to enter the profession. Applications for both current and pre-service K–5 teachers are open through April 17.
“The nation is realizing we need to invest in civic education, but too often K–5 teachers are not included in this,” said Benjamin Gross, director of the Center for Leadership and American Principles. “We’re excited to start our three-year program by investing in our K–5 teachers, as they set the foundation of civic education for generations of Alabamians to come. By inviting teachers from across the entire state, our Center is demonstrating why it’s the premier institution in Alabama for improving civic thought and leadership.”
Participants will engage with several national civic education organizations, including the National Constitution Center, iCivics, Thinking Nation, and the Center for American Civics. Faculty experts and visiting scholars from universities across the country will also lead sessions.
Scholars from institutions such as Arizona State University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Missouri will guide sessions focused on strengthening teachers’ understanding of American government and civic principles through primary source materials.
The seminar will also include an experiential learning component along Alabama’s Civil Rights Trail. Participants will visit historic sites including the Anniston Freedom Riders National Monument and the Legacy Museum properties.
Teachers selected for the program will receive:
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$500 honorarium
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Full travel reimbursement
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Free lodging during the seminar
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Meals throughout the week
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50+ hours of professional learning credit
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A curated reader of primary source materials
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Classroom-ready deliverables aligned with the reader
Pre-service teachers are encouraged to apply and may request lodging during the seminar, though they are not eligible for the honorarium.
The program is supported by a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, funding three years of programming focused on strengthening civic education across Alabama. Jacksonville State University is the only institution in the state to receive an American History and Civics Seminars Program award from the federal government.
Organizers say the initiative is designed to reach teachers statewide, including educators serving rural and underserved communities.
The seminar begins Sunday evening, June 14, and concludes Friday evening, June 19, with lodging provided through Saturday morning.
Teachers interested in participating can apply online at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4rp4AQmQhBecSIzgxCqisnmQwTvH6sRtNsJKQYseDYrjZdg/viewform
For more information about the program, visit:
https://jsu.edu/clap
