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Kwesi Jackson

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For 16 years, a dedicated 7th-grade social studies teacher at a Title I school in Huntsville, Alabama, has faced challenges many educators know all too well: large class sizes, diverse learning needs, and a growing population of students who struggle with literacy and attention.

But everything shifted when Kwesi Jackson discovered iCivics.

“It was a game changer,” he said. “I’m working with children whose literacy rates are so low. So you’re trying to teach at one level, but some of the students aren’t going to get there.”

That’s where iCivics made a difference: our platform’s visually engaging resources, built-in reading supports, and interactive games helped him meet students exactly where they were.

“The vocabulary is bold and highlighted, with definitions embedded. Just the fact that it’s chunked is helpful—it’s one of the literacy strategies that we’re told to use. It’s already where it needs to be.”

For this veteran teacher, one of the biggest advantages was how quickly he could implement iCivics lessons without sacrificing quality. “If a new teacher comes into the building today and they’re lost and they need a lesson, what do they do? I tell them: Go to iCivics. I think you’ve laid it all out for us. I really do.”

He’s seen the impact firsthand. Students who once hesitated to participate are now raising their hands. Those who struggled to comprehend traditional texts are thriving with the scaffolded, student-friendly resources. iCivics isn’t just a resource—it’s a bridge to engagement and understanding for students who need it most.

“Every now and then, there’s a bright light in my class. I listen to their conversations, and I’m like ‘We’re going to be okay,’ you know? I hope to see the students start to do the work and support what they believe. If you believe it, just as they say, ‘stand on it.’”

About Kwesi

Teaching experience: 20+ years in education; 15 years teaching — 7th grade social studies

School/Organization: Huntsville Junior High

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