Thank You, Educators!

Thank You, Educators!

Dear Educators,

They say it’s cheesy to start a letter with a pun, but honestly? I think you all are just grate. 🧀 As we kick off Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8, 2026), we want to take a moment to pause and recognize the heart of our iCivics community: you.

As the iCivics Director of Educator Engagement, it’s a true privilege to work alongside such dedicated, thoughtful educators. Your resilience, initiative, and care you show for your peers and students shape everything we create. Whether you are new to the profession or have spent years in the classroom, your commitment shows up in ways both big and small.

Beyond fostering curiosity and critical thought, you are helping build a healthier, more engaged democracy, one student at a time. That impact is not lost on us. Your work fuels our sense of purpose and keeps us grounded in what matters most. We know the communities, families, and young people you serve feel that same impact every day.

We also recognize that your time and energy are constantly in demand. While we can’t solve every challenge, we remain committed to supporting you in meaningful ways. And as summer approaches and classrooms wind down, our work at iCivics is ramping up. We’re preparing for what we hope will be a strong, supportive start to the next school year.

We’ve heard your insights and feedback, and in that spirit, we’re excited to share a preview of what’s ahead:

A more intuitive iCivics experience
We’re working on a new way to find what you need in our vast library of resources, making it easier to send and track student assignments.

New ways to engage students
We’re partnering with a well-loved gaming company to bring you something exciting.

Expanding content
This fall, be on the lookout for some brand-new resources to help you teach the rule of law.

Thank you for being part of the iCivics community. Your ideas, your feedback, and your daily efforts shape not only your classrooms but the future we’re all working toward together.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The iCivics staff, board, and donors are deeply grateful for all that you do each and every day.

Warmly,

Natacha Scott, Director of Educator Engagement

Explore more from the educator blog

Thank You, Educators!

Dear Educators, They say it’s cheesy to start a letter with a pun, but honestly? I think you all are just grate. 🧀 As we kick off Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8, 2026), we want to take a moment to pause and recognize the heart of our iCivics community: you.

Kennady starts hyper local to teach history to her students

I teach history as the story of people making choices and living with the consequences. But one of the biggest challenges I find in telling that story is apathy in the audience; students pick up the “why bother” attitude from wider culture. So I try to start local—hyper local, even—by

Kayon turns lessons into interactive quests for knowledge

At Nicolaus Copernicus School, our curriculum is demanding. My mission is to ensure that the challenge is met with excitement. To achieve this, I transform traditional lectures into interactive experiences. By integrating game mechanics like point systems, collaborative team missions, and healthy competition, I aim to turn every unit into