Teacher Seminars
Foundations of American Civic Thought: Summer Teacher Seminars
Teaching the Ideas That Shaped America
A one-week immersive professional development seminar designed for 6 - 12 educators seeking deeper engagement with the philosophical foundations of American civic life.
Participants receive 35 hours of state-approved continuing education credit and a $3,500 stipend.
Program Overview
The Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, in partnership with the Ashbrook Center's Teaching American History, invites 6 - 12 educators to participate in a week-long summer seminar exploring the philosophical foundations and enduring debates that shaped the United States.
Rather than focusing primarily on historical timelines, this program examines the ideas, arguments, and intellectual traditions that influenced the founding of the American founding.
Participants will read primary texts, engage in guided discussion with faculty scholars, and collaborate with fellow educators to translate these ideas into meaningful classroom experiences.
The seminar is designed around a simple principle:
Teachers already know how to teach.
Our goal is to provide space to think, read, and explore.
Program Structure
Each day includes:
- Three faculty-led seminars focused on major philosophical and civic themes
- One collaborative workshop focused on classroom application and curriculum development
- Engagement with six scholars across the program
- 35 hours of certified continuing education credit
- $3,500 stipend for participating educators
Seminars run 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m. each day.
Curriculum Support
Participants will receive a curriculum resource packet including:
- discussion prompts
- sample quizzes and assessments
- classroom activities and games
- reading guides for primary texts
- adaptable lesson frameworks
The materials are designed to be flexible across grade levels and subject areas.
Ongoing Support
Educators will also be invited to a virtual follow-up workshop in the late summer where faculty will provide additional support for developing lesson plans based on seminar themes.
This session provides an opportunity to:
- refine lesson plans
- exchange ideas with fellow educators
- receive feedback from faculty
Who Should Apply
This seminar is ideal for educators teaching:
- Social Studies
- U.S. History
- Civics/Government
- Humanities
Teachers who value discussion-based learning and deeper engagement with foundational texts will find the program especially rewarding.
Program Dates
Seminar 1
June 8-12, 2026
Seminar 2
June 22-26, 2026
Location
Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
6393 Oak Tree Blvd.
Independence, OH 44131
Daily Schedule
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Compensation & Professional Development Credit
Participants will receive:
- $3,500 stipend for completing the program
- 40 hours of state-approved continuing education credit
- curriculum materials and classroom resources
- access to a follow-up virtual workshop
The program is designed to sport educators in fostering thoughtful civic discussion and deeper engagement with foundational texts.