A New (Free) Resource for High School Educators
A few months ago, I attended a dinner with a set topic. Each person at a table was asked to reflect on a treasured person in their lives who had helped them grow into the person they were today.
A common theme emerged: Teachers. Teachers had made a difference by sparking an interest, highlighting a developing talent, or pointing in the direction of an opportunity.
With the school season starting across the country, we’re pleased today to be publishing a brand-new resource for high school educators looking for a way to engage their students in voter registration and civic engagement for this election and for years to come.
Below is my introductory letter to those educators, outlining our mission, the reasons we created these toolkits, and our hope that they provide everything a school community will need to get ready to vote in November. Educators know the students who might become drive leaders and for whom this work will be most meaningful.
Our hope is that with practical guidance and a little encouragement, educators will inspire their students to run nonpartisan voter registration drives during High School Voter Registration Week – September 23-27. Every 18-year-old can get ready to vote in November, and more than 50% of teens live in states where they can preregister as early as 16 or 17. So even those who can’t vote this November will be ready to vote in the next one.
If you know an educator or a teen who you believe would want to get involved, I hope you’ll take a moment to share this post with them.
“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.”
—Former U.N. Secretary, General Kofi Annan
Welcome, Educators! I am Laura W. Brill, CEO and Founder of The Civics Center, and I am delighted to share this toolkit with you.
At The Civics Center, our mission is to make voter registration part of every high school in America. As an educator, you are the linchpin in this transformative process. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, as you shape the minds and values of future leaders and citizens.
By guiding your students to appreciate how their lives intersect with public issues and how they can have an impact in their communities, you offer an entry point into a vital civic duty that fortifies the very foundation of our democracy.
If you’ve ever wondered about the obstacles that interfere with the ability of young people to register and vote, and if you have wanted to learn some practical tools for turning that around, this toolkit is for you.
This toolkit is designed to provide you with everything you need to support your students in this important endeavor. From step-by-step instructions to practical resources and inspiring case studies, you will find comprehensive support to make voter registration drives successful in your school environment. Whether this is your first time facilitating such an event or you are looking to enhance your existing efforts, we are here to help.
Thank you for joining us and for your unwavering commitment to fostering civic engagement among young people. By encouraging students to participate in voter registration, you are instilling a sense of responsibility, empowerment, and community that will resonate throughout their lives. Together, we can ensure that every student understands the power of their voice and their vote, strengthening our democracy one school, one educator, and one student at a time.
— Laura Brill, CEO & Founder, The Civics Center