Alabama K-5 Teachers Invited to Apply for Statewide Summer Civics Seminar at Jax State
Jacksonville, AL (03/09/2026) — Elementary teachers across Alabama are invited to apply for a unique professional learning opportunity this summer at Jacksonville State University (Jax State), funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
The 2026 Summer Civics Seminar will bring together teachers from across the state for a week-long residential program designed to strengthen civic education in elementary classrooms. Teachers accepted into the program will receive a $500 honorarium, full travel reimbursement, free lodging, meals throughout the week, and more than 50 hours of professional learning, along with classroom-ready resources they can bring back to their schools and communities.
Hosted June 14-19 at Jax State, the seminar will include one teacher from each of Alabama's 138 public school districts, along with 37 private school teachers from across the state, ensuring participation from every region of Alabama.
In addition to current teachers, the program will accept 50 future teachers (pre-service) preparing to enter the profession. Applications for current and future K-5 teachers are open through April 17, and organizers encourage educators from every part of Alabama to apply.
"The nation is realizing we need to invest in civic education, but too often K-5 teachers are not included in this," said Benjamin Gross, director of the Center for Leadership and American Principles. "We're excited to start our three-year program by investing in our K-5 teachers, as they set the foundation of civic education for generations of Alabamians to come. By inviting teachers from across the entire state, our Center is demonstrating why it's the premier institution in Alabama for improving civic thought and leadership."
Participants will engage with leading civic education organizations, including the National Constitution Center, iCivics, Thinking Nation, and the Center for American Civics, as well as faculty experts from universities across the country.
Visiting scholars from institutions such as Arizona State University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Missouri will lead sessions designed to help teachers deepen their content knowledge and confidence in teaching the foundational principles of American government through primary sources.
In addition to classroom sessions, participants will take part in an experiential learning trip along Alabama's Civil Rights Trail, including visits to the Anniston Freedom Riders National Monument and the Legacy Museum properties.
Teachers accepted into the program will receive:
- $500 honorarium
- Full travel reimbursement
- Free lodging during the seminar
- Meals throughout the week
- 50+ hours of professional learning credit
- A curated reader of primary source materials
- Classroom-ready deliverables aligned with the reader
Pre-service teachers are encouraged to apply and may request lodging, though they are not eligible for the honorarium.
The seminar is funded through a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education supporting three years of programming aimed at strengthening civic education across Alabama. Jax State is the only institution in Alabama to receive one of these American History and Civics Seminars Program awards from the federal government.
Organizers say the program is designed to reach teachers from across the state, including those in rural and underserved communities.
The seminar begins Sunday evening, June 14, and concludes Friday evening, June 19, with lodging provided through Saturday morning.
Teachers interested in participating can apply online here.
For more information about the program, visit: jsu.edu/clap.
About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.
Jacksonville State University
Josh Underwood, 256-782-8156, underwood@jsu.eduShare this Story
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