Developed in partnership between the
Lou Frey Institute at the University of
Central Florida and IllinoisCivics.org,
the Guardians of Democracy Program is an online professional development program with
extended learning opportunities for interested 6-12 educators. Our goal is to support
a national professional development program and establish a network of certified
educators across disciplines that embrace the proven practices of civic education to
equip young people for college, career, and civic life success.
This course is inspired by the landmark report,
Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools
published by The Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics of the Annenberg Public Policy
Center at the University of Pennsylvania and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of
Schools. This report outlines six proven practices of civic education.
Coming Soon: A New Course Series
Piloting Late Summer
Our Courses
Hear from the experts. See it in action. Build your toolkit. Engage your students.
Current & Controversial Issue Discussion Strategies
Guardians of Democracy Teachers Current and Controversial Issues Discussion Course
highlighted in new book, Making Classroom Discussions Work, edited by Dr. Jane Lo. The
chapter, written by the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and
Engagement at Tufts University and Illinois Civics Hub, discusses the effectiveness of
the course in preparing teachers to hold current and controversial issue discussions
with their students. To learn more about the book, click
here.
Course Evaluations
The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)
released its evaluation of the Guardians of Democracy online courses. To read about
their key findings and takeaways, click the button below.
This course focuses on understanding the purpose, role, and function of
discussion strategies as pedagogical tools to equip young people with the
knowledge, dispositions, and skills to be “Guardians of Democracy”. Further,
this course will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources
to create a classroom climate in which there are equitable opportunities for ALL
students to engage in dialogue about essential questions across the curriculum.
Guardians of Democracy Bronze Certified Educator in Current and
Controversial Issue Discussions Badge
recognizes the successful completion of all Current and Controversial Issue
Discussions course modules. This includes the completion of required
assignments, portfolio entries and satisfactory performance on the
discussions. Participants create a Portfolio of Practice throughout the
course in which they reflect on how the course content can enhance their own
practice. Participants use their portfolio to create a plan of action to
implement one strategy to support current and controversial issue
discussions in the summative performance task.
The Guardians of Democracy Silver Distinguished Educator in Current and
Controversial Issue Discussions Badge
recognizes the successful completion of extension work to demonstrate
competency in teaching two of the discussion strategies included in the
Current and Controversial Issue Discussions course. This badge certifies
that a recipient can successfully create, edit and implement a lesson plan
and student assessment. This badge also certifies that a participant engaged
in an instructional coaching cycle and reflective practice.
The Guardians of Democracy Gold Guardian Educator in Current and
Controversial Issue Discussions Badge
recognizes the successful completion of advanced extension work
demonstrating competency in teaching all three discussion strategies
included in the Current and Controversial Issues Discussions course. This
badge certifies that a recipient can successfully create, edit and implement
a lesson plan and student assessment. This badge also certifies that a
participant engaged in reflective practice and in instructional coaching as
a coach and trainee.
The C.A.P.E.S page serves as a supplemental resource to
personalize your learning. Free materials are linked for your consideration
to support the implementation of current and controversial issue
discussions.
This course focuses on understanding simulations of democratic processes and how
this pedagogical practice can equip young people with the knowledge,
dispositions, and skills to be “Guardians of Democracy”. Further, this course
will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources to
facilitate simulations with appropriate topic selection, content integrated
throughout and reflective practice.
The Guardians of Democracy Bronze Certified Educator in Simulations of
Democratic Processes Badge
recognizes the successful completion of all Simulations of Democratic
Processes course modules. This includes the completion of required
assignments, portfolio entries and satisfactory performance on the
discussions. Participants create a Portfolio of Practice throughout the
course in which they reflect on how the course content can enhance their own
practice. Participants use their portfolio to create a plan of action to
implement one strategy to support simulations of democratic processes in the
summative performance task.
The Guardians of Democracy Silver Distinguished Educator in Simulations
of Democratic Processes Badge
recognizes the successful completion of extension work in a second course to
demonstrate competency in teaching two of the strategies included in the
Simulations of Democratic Processes course. This badge certifies that a
recipient can successfully create, edit and implement a lesson plan and
facilitate student reflection on the process. This badge also certifies that
a participant engaged in an instructional coaching cycle and reflective
practice.
The Guardians of Democracy Gold Guardian Educator in Simulations of
Democratic Processes Badge
recognizes the successful completion of advanced extension work in a final
course demonstrating competency in teaching all three strategies included in
the Simulations of Democratic Processes course. This badge certifies that a
recipient can successfully create, edit and implement a lesson plan and
facilitate student reflection on the process. It further certifies
successful engagement in collaborative practices through peer-to-peer
mentorship and facilitator coaching of the lesson planning process.
The C.A.P.E.S page serves as a supplemental resource to
personalize your learning. Free materials are linked for your consideration
to support the implementation of current and controversial issue
discussions.
This course focuses on understanding informed action through service learning
and how this pedagogical practice can equip young people with the knowledge,
dispositions, and skills to be “Guardians of Democracy”. Further, this course
will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources to support
student-centered informed action, empowering students to take the L.E.A.D.
The Guardians of Democracy Bronze Certified Educator in Informed Action
Through Service Learning Badge
recognizes the successful completion of all Informed Action through Service
Learning course modules. This includes the completion of required
assignments, portfolio entries and satisfactory performance in the
discussions. Participants create a Portfolio of Practice and throughout the
course they reflect on how the course content can enhance their own
practice. Participants use their portfolio to create a plan of action to
facilitate student-centered informed action through service learning in the
summative performance task.
The Guardians of Democracy Silver Distinguished Educator in Informed
Action through Service Learning Badge
recognizes the successful completion of extension work in a second course to
demonstrate competency in facilitating Informed Action through Service
Learning course. This badge certifies that a recipient can successfully
create, edit and implement a lesson plan and engage students in reflection.
This badge also certifies that a participant engaged in an instructional
coaching cycle and reflective practice.
The Guardians of Democracy Gold Guardian Educator in Informed Action
through Service Learning Badge
recognizes the successful completion of advanced extension work in a final
course demonstrating competency in engaging student voice to facilitate
informed action through service learning. This badge certifies that a
recipient can successfully create, edit and implement a lesson plan and
reflect on student success. It further certifies successful engagement in
collaborative practices through peer-to-peer mentorship and facilitator
coaching of the lesson planning process.
The C.A.P.E.S page serves as a supplemental resource to
personalize your learning. Free materials are linked for your consideration
to support the implementation of current and controversial issue
discussions.
This course focuses on understanding the purpose, role, and function of using
inquiry as the primary mode of learning to equip young people with the
knowledge, dispositions, and skills to be “Guardians of Democracy.” Further,
this course will enhance educators' practice with strategies and resources to
create a classroom climate with equitable opportunities for ALL students to
prepare for civic life.
The Guardians of Democracy Bronze Certified Educator in Constitutional
Democracy as Content and Practice Badge
recognizes the successful completion of all course modules. This includes
completing required assignments, portfolio entries, and satisfactory
performance in the discussions. Participants create a Portfolio of Practice
throughout the course in which they reflect on how the course content can
enhance their own practice. Participants curate materials from the Educating
for American Democracy Educator Resources to create a plan of action in
their portfolio addressing a state standard related to classroom instruction
on constitutional democracy in the summative performance task.
The Guardians of Democracy Silver Distinguished Educator in
Constitutional Democracy as Content and Practice Badge
recognizes the successful completion of advanced extension work in a final
course demonstrating competency in creating a unit plan aligned with best
practices in the Classroom Instruction on Constitutional Democracy as
Content and Practice course. This badge certifies that a recipient can
successfully create, edit and implement a series of lessons in the unit plan
and facilitate student reflection on the process. It further certifies
successful engagement in collaborative practices through peer-to- peer
mentorship and facilitator coaching of the unit planning process.
The Guardians of Democracy Gold Guardian Educator in Constitutional
Democracy as Content and Practice Badge
recognizes the successful completion of advanced extension work
demonstrating competency in teaching Constitutional Democracy as content and
practice course. This badge certifies that a recipient can successfully
create, edit and implement civic instruction incorporating reflective
practice and student feedback. It further certifies successful engagement in
collaborative practices through peer-to-peer mentorship and facilitator
coaching of the lesson planning process.
The C.A.P.E.S page serves as a supplemental resource to
personalize your learning. Free materials are linked for your consideration
to support the implementation of classroom instruction on constitutional
democracy.
