My middle school students understand that I have high expectations and that I’ll show up consistently and authentically—whether we’re working together in class or running into each other at church. And even though they yearn for independence, I know they also crave that relationship. It’s a priority for me too.

I’ve been teaching for more than 20 years, but this year is my first teaching 7th grade civics. So over the summer, I went on a hunt for resources that would engage those students. I love using immersive activities like mock trials, escape rooms, and simulations to help them connect

In my classes, I strive to create an interconnected narrative, each topic building upon the next. We start by analyzing the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble. The language and ideas in these documents become the golden thread that pulls us through the school year – and through America’s story.