Re-Engage 2024: Local Government, Civic Education and You

July 30-31, Salisbury & Spencer | Rowan County

$150 Stipend + Free Hotel Accommodations + 1.5 CEUs + Behind-the-Scenes Access to Local Government Agencies & Officials

APPLY HERE

A FREE, two-day experiential seminar for K-12 educators, hosted in collaboration between the NC City & County Managers Association, NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC & Learning Happens Here Initiatives, the NC Transportation Museum, and Carolina K-12.

In a time when our nation is increasingly plagued by political polarization and confidence in our civic institutions and governing bodies wanes, it is imperative to re-engage in preparing our youth (and ourselves) with the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and motivation to be responsible, informed and active citizens and community members. And while federal government and presidential elections are often the focus of our attention, it is our local government that tangibly impacts our daily lives – from water quality to trash collection to sports/recreation.

K-12 educators are invited to join us for “Re-Engage 2024,” a free, experiential two-day deep-dive into North Carolina local government, that centers its relevance to our everyday lives!

Participating teachers will:

  • Learn about North Carolina local government and its relevance to our everyday lives, including structure, governance, services, and departments – all of which are essential for functional communities, growing businesses, and healthy families
  • Engage in active experiences and pedagogical exploration related to civic education and local government, including: interaction with elected and appointed government officials; “behind-the-scenes” site visits and experiences with various county and city departments; and participation in government simulations and other hands-on activities that can be utilized back in the classroom.
  • Learn about DNCR’s America 250 NC and Learning Happens Here initiatives
  • Explore strategies and skills for cultivating the next generation of informed, responsible members of a constitutional democracy
  • Receive lesson plans and simulations to use back in the classroom that are designed to not only educate, but engage students in hands-on, interactive ways.

Attending Teachers Will Receive:

  • $150 stipend in appreciation of your time as a professional
  • Free hotel accommodations:
    • Free hotel room on July 30 if you’re more than 41 miles one way from Salisbury
    • Free hotel rooms on July 29 + 30 if you’re more than 120 miles one way from Salisbury
  • 1.5 CEUs
  • A special Teacher Appreciation Dinner aboard the NC Transportation Museum’s train!
  • Behind-the-scenes access to local government agencies and officials, for an experiential look at how local government works
  • Free curriculum and access to “Local Government in North Carolina” – a free online textbook

A healthy democracy requires not only voting for federal offices, but participation at the local level – and an understanding of how and why our system of government functions the way it does. “Re-Engage 2024: Local Government, Civic Education and You” will provide valuable content knowledge, resources, a collaborative network of educators around the state, and inspiration to elevate the understanding of the importance of local government in our everyday lives.

This program is funded by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources America 250 NC initiative and the NC City & County Managers Association.