Around three-quarters of Americans say they are dissatisfied with the state of politics in the country. That's according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted just before the 2018 mid-term election.
Laramie High School social studies teacher Meaghan Todd said she hopes her approach to civics education will encourage kids to participate in American government, and to do so with civility.
"Government is one of those things that you have to continue to engage in, and I think we aren't giving students enough practice in how [to] be democratic about how we approach the discussions that we have, the debates that we have," said Todd.
Todd's passion for civics education was recognized by the League of Women Voters of Laramie. The organization nominated her to participate in an all-expenses-paid workshop on civics education at Harvard University.
The workshop focuses on using case studies to make American political history more engaging. And Todd said that's in line with her goal to teach how government works and to empower students to get involved.
"Part of the project is actually helping students understand that throughout American history there were debates that were had, there were pros and cons of every perspective and they have a role to play in that, that they have a voice in that," said Todd.
She will spend a week at Harvard this August.