Civic Education

For more than 15 years, the McConnell Center's Civic Education Program has served Kentucky educators and students. Our key efforts center on offering opportunities for teachers to broaden their knowledge of great books and ideas and to strengthen their ability to lead in the classroom and community, as well as encouraging students to advance in their studies of American history, civics and leadership. 

For Educators

For Your Classroom: 

• Request educational resources and publications from the McConnell Center for your classroom 
• Download select McConnell Center publications to share and discuss with your students 
• Bring your class to learn about the structure of federal government, archival work and the public service legacies of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao at the McConnell Chao Archives.
• Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn of our latest news and events
• Join our Facebook community to network with teachers across the state

For Students

Pre-Graduation Opportunities: 

• Young Leaders Academy (Grades 9-12): Four-day, all-expenses-paid summer residential program for high school aged students at the University of Louisville. Features discussions and seminars regarding United States history, government, politics, and leadership strategies.
• Essay Contest: High school students engage research on a topic related to United States history, government or leadership. Awards offered to top submissions.   
• Monthly Lecture Series and Distinguished Speaker Events: Join our public lectures with prominent local, state, and national leaders discussing a range of civic issues and responsibilities. 
• Class Visits: Tour the Civic Education Gallery of the U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine L. Chao Archives at the University of Louisville.  The gallery contains an interactive educational facility built around the lives and careers of Sen. McConnell and Sec. Chao, the gallery is designed to educate visitors about American government, history and politics.
• Podcast Series: Enjoy episodes of the McConnell Center Podcast, which offers thought-provoking conversations with authors, scholars, leaders in the U.S. military and political professionals. Interviews focus on leadership, literature, history, education, politics and life.

Post-Graduation Opportunities: 

Contact

McCivics@Louisville.Edu / (502) 852-3947
McConnell Center Civic Education Program

About the McConnell Center's Civic Education Program

The McConnell Center began the non-profit, non-partisan Civic Education Program in 2005 to assist Kentucky citizens in developing a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution and history and to encourage open and free discussion of perennial concerns that inform contemporary politics.

The McConnell Center conducts educational programs for teachers, students (K-12 and college), and the general public focused on developing a strong knowledge of U.S. history and fostering creative thinking about the possibilities and problems of citizenship in the 21st century.

“American democracy will only flourish as long as our citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Through intense seminars, lectures, discussions and retreats, we hope to contribute to the teaching of American government and U.S. history in Kentucky schools.” - Gary Gregg, PhD, McConnell Center Director

TSP 2022-2023: Variety - Left and Right

Rolling admissions beginning August 1. Click here to apply.

This dedicated group of Kentucky educators will enhance their knowledge of American political thought by spending the 2022-2023 academic year reading and discussing foundational texts through the Center's professional development programming. 

Development for Teacher Scholars is supported by in-person and online hybrid-based lectures, seminars and other special opportunities—at little to no personal expense.

America seems more divided than ever and there often seems little mutual understanding of foundational political and cultural positions. TSP 2022-2023 will focus on reading and discussing texts to uncover and understand the foundations of contemporary political thought.  An emphasis will be on conservatism, liberalism, feminism, black political thought, and libertarianism. The year will end by discussing ways we may find to move forward beyond what divides us.

We hope you will take this opportunity to continue your education and network with other great Kentucky educators.

Participants Will Receive: 

• 20 or more professional development hours and certificate of completion
• Monthly lecture and private seminar opportunities with leading scholars and historical experts
• Opportunities to participate in all-expenses-paid weekend conferences on topics related to civics & American history, politics and culture 
• FREE reading and study materials
• Discussion board access to share your thoughts and network with other teachers
• A classroom set of McConnell Center educational publications and resources 
• a free Teacher Scholars Program T-shirt
• A Summer 2023 culminating experience to celebrate project completion

Requirements of Participation:

• Complete required reading assignments for lectures and seminars
• Participate in a set number of seminar/webinar and lecture opportunities each semester
• Participate in at least one weekend conference
• Provide one inquiry-based lesson based upon usage of the text to share with the TSP cohort 

Questions? Contact McCivics@louisville.edu or (502) 852-3947
McConnell Center Civic Education Program