Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition

Teacher Application - Preparing the Next Generation Through History
2026-07-27 - 2026-07-30
Led by William & Mary and the National Council for History Education, We the Teachers is a national fellowship that prepares K-12 educators to lead the next chapter in American history/civic education. The three-part program includes:

Build your skills with 5-hour online microcourses, focusing on topics including historical inquiry, civil discourse, non-fiction reading strategies, and more; all accredited by the W&M School of Education.
A four-day, immersive Congress of Educators in Williamsburg, VA (July 27-30, 2026), featuring substantive and inspiring content and pedagogy sessions paired with place-based learning.
Lead a workshop and/or peer learning community in your state.

Participants will receive a $2,500 stipend for travel expenses and as a recognition of time and effort. Additionally, all lodging, food, and participation costs are fully funded. K-12 educators, education specialists, administrators, and curriculum supervisors are encouraged to apply. Special preferences will be given to current classroom teachers. Learn more and submit your application here by January 31, 2026.

Year One fellows will convene in Williamsburg, Virginia at William & Mary (room and board provided) on July 26-30 for the inaugural Congress of Educators. Fellows who complete all three components of the “We the Teachers” program will receive a $2500 stipend. Applications open December 1, 2025.
Awarded to W&M’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships, the grant will launch “We the Teachers: Preparing the Next Generation Through History & Civics.” Timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the initiative aims to strengthen K-12 history and civics education. It will equip teachers with deep content knowledge, evidence-based pedagogy and classroom-ready tools that connect America’s founding principles to civic life. The result will be stronger learning outcomes for students across the country.
The three-part program includes:
The Congress of Educators: A four-day, immersive experience for 100 educators from across the country Congress of Educators at William & Mary, featuring substantive, insightful, and inspiring content and pedagogy sessions paired with visits to and VIP experiences with leading museums in the region.
PD Microcourses: Build impactful teaching skills through 5-hour online microcourses, focusing on topics including historical inquiry, civil discourse, non-fiction reading strategies, artifact analysis, exhibits in the classroom and more; all courses are accredited by the W&M School of Education.
Local Learning Communities: Lead workshops and/or peer learning communities in their home states—bringing the spirit of 1776 into today’s classrooms.
The grant also benefits W&M students by providing nearly $100,000 for paid applied-learning opportunities exclusively for them. The opportunities will include roles such as learning design, digital content development and production, communications and event management.
The project advances the university’s Vision 2026 Democracy and Careers goals. It also reinforces the university’s national reputation for developing civic leadership.
“This grant underscores William & Mary’s commitment to innovative scholarship in service to the nation,” said Provost Peggy Agouris. “‘We the Teachers’ is a model of how leading research universities can advance civic learning by combining deep historical knowledge with cutting-edge pedagogy to empower educators. As a cornerstone of W&M’s Vision 2026 initiative, it reflects the vital role of academic excellence in serving every citizen.”

Teacher Symposium at Carthage College: The United States at 250
2026-07-28
The United States at 250: Viewing the Semiquincentennial of the American Founding
July 28 | Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
In this symposium, current and former faculty from Carthage College will lead teachers through an interdisciplinary study of the ideas, principles, and documents at the heart of the American Founding and tradition. Drawing from the fields of Classics, History, and Political Science, the program aims to broaden and deepen educators’ understanding of the American Founding through multiple perspectives.
Participants who complete the program will receive a $150 stipend. Registration information can be found here.

In-Person: Civil War Era, Reconstruction, and the Constitution Symposium with UW Eau Claire
2026-07-29 - 2026-07-31 | Eau Claire, WI
This year’s symposium will focus on the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the political and constitutional ramifications of this transformative period, placing particular emphasis on primary source analysis and the enduring significance of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
Scholar sessions will be led by faculty from UW-Eau Claire’s Political Science and Criminal Justice Department. JMC Teacher Programs Manager Emilee McHorney will lead a classroom application workshop on incorporating the primary sources discussed into teachers’ own classrooms and lessons.
The program will take place at the Metropolis Resort and Conference Center in Eau Claire. Meals and resort lodging will be provided. Participants will receive a $300 stipend for completion of the program.
Click HERE to learn more and register.

Professional Development at Brookfield Academy: The Declaration’s Global Impact
2026-08-05
The World After 1776: The Declaration’s Global Impact
This one-day symposium will explore the influence of the Declaration of Independence around the world. In partnership with Brookfield Academy, leading scholars will guide participants through discussions of key themes and ideas from foundational texts while considering the Declaration’s international impact and legacy.
Participants who complete the program will receive a $150 stipend. Registration information can be found here.

America at 250 Educator Summit
2026-08-05 - 2026-08-06 | Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, 816 State Street, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
July 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To support 3rd-12th grade educators teaching history and civics, PBS Wisconsin Education, in partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is convening the America at 250 Educator Summit, August 5-6, 2026, in Madison.
Why attend?

Discover fresh inspiration for helping learners become civically engaged and better equipped to understand our nation’s past, present, and future.
Explore classroom-ready resources to foster civic engagement, media literacy, and inquiry-based learning, including the Ken Burns in the Classroom collection featuring the AMERICAN REVOLUTION film and resources from PBS Wisconsin Education and other partners.
Connect and learn with education organizations and peers from across Wisconsin.

Registration is free. Limited lodging sponsorships are available for attendees who live outside of Dane County.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE!

In-Person Event - Civic Education, Democracy, & Lessons from History Workshop for School and District Teams
2026-08-10 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
Utilizing our Fostering Civil Discourse Guide, we will introduce educators to our approach for navigating crucial conversations. You will also have a chance to learn about our newly updated unit, Choices in Little Rock, that focuses on people’s civic choices—the decisions people make as members of a democracy. Those decisions, both past and present, reveal that democracy is not a product but a work in progress. This workshop will provide you with tools to help your students grapple with the legacies of history and empower them to reflect upon the issues and dilemmas that shape civic life today.

This offering is for: Districts and schools are invited to send a team of a minimum of three people to this seminar

Register By: Aug 3, 2026

This event takes place in Madison, WI.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Partisan Primary
2026-08-11

UW Madison & PLACE Conference: Teaching About the 2026 Elections
2026-09-26 | UW – Madison
Registration is officially open for Teaching About the 2026 Elections, a premier conference specifically designed for K-12 teachers and administrators. Join us on September 26, 2026, for a day of collaborative learning, resource sharing, and professional growth.

Why Attend? This conference is more than just a professional development day; it is a toolkit for the modern classroom.

Navigate Tough Topics: Get strategies to lead calm, fact-based discussions on sensitive issues.
Ready-to-Use Resources: Access national civic curricula and lesson plans.
Election Insights: Deepen your knowledge of the 2026 election cycle to better engage your students.

Event Logistics

When: September 26, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Where: Discovery Building, 330 N Orchard St, Madison, WI 53715
What’s Included: Your registration includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and an official conference t-shirt!

Registration Fees

Professionals: $25
Non-UW-Madison Students: $10
UW-Madison Students: FREE (Pre-registration is required)

*PLACE is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events. If you need accommodations, please make sure to include this information when you register for this event. If accommodation needs arise after registration, please contact us at conferences@education.wisc.edu at least two weeks before the event. While we will do our best to fulfill late requests, we may not always be able to guarantee them.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

General Election
2026-11-03

NCSS Annual Conference - Chicago, IL
2026-12-04 - 2026-12-06
Learn more HERE
