From a teacher’s perspective
Since 2016, the Jack Miller Center’s Founding Civics Initiative has provided K-12 educators across the country with practical, content-rich, and high quality professional development and graduate course opportunities. But do not just take it from us, read what your fellow educators have to say about their experience through Founding Civics programs.
On JMC professional development
Read about the experiences of teachers who participated in on-campus professional development programs.
Princeton University, Summer 2026 Participant
What makes the Jack Miller Center’s professional development unique is its deep respect for teachers as scholars. Diving directly into primary sources with expert faculty gave me both the depth of knowledge and the practical confidence to bring those foundational texts directly to my students.
Jacksonville State University, Summer 2026 Participant
This program provided a space for content-specific dialogue, which other professional developments do not offer. The insight gained from the instruction and seminar sessions on primary sources was immeasurable and significantly improved my understanding and confidence in teaching them.
Gannon University, Summer 2026 Participant
The materials were engaging, the professors were inquisitive and welcoming, and the Jack Miller Center could not have been better hosts or more supportive. Easily one of the best summer programs I’ve ever attended!
On the American Civic Tradition Fellowship
The American Civic Tradition (ACT) Fellowship is the Founding Civics Initiative’s premier program for K-12 civics, government, and history teachers. Read what 2026 ACT Fellow Alyson McIrvin had to say about her experience:
The Jack Miller Center gave me the opportunity to learn from incredible scholars and connect with teachers from across the country. I am leaving this fellowship with a stronger understanding of American history, new ideas for my classroom, and a renewed excitement for teaching civics. What I learned will have a lasting impact on both my teaching and my students.
Alyson McIrvin; Idaho Middle School Teacher
On the Civics Foundations Graduate Consortium
Click through the tabs below to read testimonials from Graduate Consortium participants
Tyler Moss, Utah Valley University MACGCL Student
“Financial barriers to graduate education are a real thing, and I am so grateful to JMC for reducing that barrier for me and other teachers. The depth of understanding that teachers get from these graduate courses is unparalleled—there are not a lot of avenues for this kind of rigorous and affordable education for working teachers.”
Victoria Reclusado, San Diego State University Course Participant
“After teaching world history for several years, I felt like my content knowledge was not as strong in U.S. history, which I am teaching this year. The graduate course helped me prepare to teach this new course and meet my department’s emphasis on foundational skills of constitutionalism. I had the opportunity to improve my knowledge so that I can better teach those skills to my students.”
Sarah Hopkins, Catholic University of America Course Participant
“This course challenged me to view the past through a more analytical lens, and I truly feel like a better teacher and citizen because of it. I intend to elevate the rigor of my instruction and continue to empower my students to tackle primary sources with open-mindedness and confidence.”
Interested in the Civics Foundations Graduate Consortium?
The Jack Miller Center is proud to introduce the nation’s first university consortium committed to graduate education in the American political tradition with courses uniquely designed for teachers.
