Minnesota Humanities Center

A More Perfect Union

Posted February 3, 2025

President Abraham Lincoln, in commemorating the lives lost during the Civil War, at the Gettysburg Address noted that the United States of America is a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Lincoln’s repetition of “people” underscores that our democracy is made and maintained by its citizens.

The enabling legislation of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), echoing Lincoln, states that our democracy demands the wisdom of its citizens. Our democracy is only strong and vibrant if we as citizens are actively engaged and preparing the next generation of citizens to collaborate with their fellow citizens.

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) takes pride as an NEH affiliate in its responsibility in providing tools, imparting knowledge, and cultivating the desire to all within our society to hear one another and work together to help form and create a more perfect union.

Later this month, the Minnesota Council for Social Studies (MCSS), will host its annual conference at St. Cloud State University. The annual MCSS conference, held during the February 22-23 weekend, is one of the premier professional development opportunities for Minnesota social studies teachers at all grade levels. Several members of MHC’s K-12 team were fortunate enough to be selected to give presentations regarding MHC’s work and professional development offerings.

The day before the MCSS annual conference, MHC is partnering with several organizations on the Minnesota Civics Education collaboration to host the inaugural Minnesota Civics Summit. Organizations within the initiative include the Minnesota Department of Education, League of Women Voters of MN, YMCA Center for Youth Voice, Federal Bar Association, MN Council on Social Studies, TeachingCivics.org, and several individuals who are interested in supporting best practices in Civics education.

Democracy is a process, not a static condition. It is becoming, rather than being. It can easily be lost but never is fully won. – Judge William Hastie

The Minnesota Civics Summit, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, is designed to be a day of listening, learning, and engaging one another to improve civics education in Minnesota. The Minnesota Civics Summit is free, and lunch will be provided for all attendees.

In the morning, we will discuss how participating organizations can help educators make meaningful connections to civics resources in their communities and how we can collectively create a toolbox of civic resources. In the afternoon, we will be offering a two–part professional development workshop for educators. Attendees will be able to receive CEU credit for attending the workshop.

The first half of the workshop will be hosted by Amy Anderson, YMCA Center for Youth Voice. Educators will learn how to support student voice and about a strategy for having challenging, respectful conversations in class on important, but sometimes divisive, issues.

Brittany Rawson–Haeg, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), will facilitate the second half of the workshop, “Listening & Sharing Session to Support Teachers in Implementing Anchor Standards.” Brittany will share current tools being used, existing gaps, and support and new efforts to help teachers in implementing the 2021 Social Studies Standards.

Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or involved with a civic organization that is interested in knowing more about the Minnesota Civics Education collaboration or you are interested in the professional development workshop being provided, I would encourage you to join us at the Minnesota Civics Summit – registration can be found at lwvmn.org/civics.

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By: Kevin Lindsey

Kevin Lindsey is CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center.