Bringing Democracy to Life

Central Michigan University’s Social Studies Education Program will host a professional development opportunity for secondary educators and pre-service teachers from 1-4 p.m. Fri., Oct. 2, 2026, in partnership with the Levin Center for Oversight & Democracy.

“Bringing Democracy to Life: A Mock Congressional hearing in the Classroom” will introduce educators to The Levin Center’s Learning by Hearings program. According to the center, participants will:

Engage in experiential learning through a guided introduction to Learning by Hearing’s classroom-ready mock congressional hearing. Participants will take part in a substantial portion of the simulation while Learning by Hearing team members provide instruction, modeling, and practical guidance on implementing the experience in the classroom. Designed for middle and high school civics and U.S. history educators, this session will familiarize certified and pre-service teachers with the resource and its instructional approach. Participants will also explore strategies for facilitating student inquiry, evidence-based discussion, and civic engagement.

This session is designed for both practicing teachers and pre-service teachers interested in bringing authentic civic experiences into their classrooms.

The October 2^nd event is part of an ongoing series of professional development opportunities hosted by CMU’S Social Studies Education Program in collaboration and partnership with state and national organizations. The program has previously partnered with organizations including the Federal Reserve, the National Constitution Center, the Institute for Curriculum Services, and The Zekelman Holocaust Center to provide professional learning opportunities for educators and future teachers.

Through these partnerships, the Social Studies Education Program connects educators with organizations working in areas related to social studies education while providing opportunities to explore new resources, approaches and ideas for the classroom.

The “Bringing Democracy to Life” session is free and open to secondary educators and pre-service teachers. Registration is required and seats are limited.

Register Now: https://cmich.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0vSviz2vy62uAzI

Educators interested in receiving information about future professional development opportunities hosted through CMU’s Social Studies Education Program can email Melissa K. Stanley, director of the program, at stanl3m@cmich.edu to be added to the program’s mailing list.