Agenda

On February 17, we will post the Zoom links for each session on this page, so make sure you bookmark it! Problems? Email info@mdcivics.org for immediate assistance during the summit. Or return to the Welcome session zoom room and look for the “Zoom Concierge”.




3:00 - 3:40 pm : Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Equity and Civic Education: a Conversation with John King, Jr. and Jennifer King Rice, Dean of the College of Education, UMD

Remarks from Delegate Eric Luedtke

3:45 - 5:10 pm : Roundtable Session 1

Select one of the following roundtables. Each roundtable will be followed by small group breakout discussions.
Click on each title to read the description, meet the featured speakers, and explore suggested resources.

Option 1

Civic Learning in Maryland Classrooms

read more about this session

What is the current state of civics in local curriculum and Maryland state standards? Join social studies educators and district-level coordinators in a discussion around the implications of the state of social studies education in Maryland. Hear an introduction and conversation moderation by Leah Renzi, the State Coordinator of Social Studies.


This session is moderated by Leah Renzi, Coordinator of Social Studies, Maryland State Department of Education



Roundtable participants:

  • Dr. George Daniel Brown, Supervisor of Secondary Social Studies, Professional Learning, and New Teacher Induction, Allegany County Public Schools
  • Nicholas Gardiner, Social Studies Educator, Charles County Public Schools
  • Marzelle Thomas-Smith, Classroom Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools
  • Monique Ward, Social Studies Supervisor, Dorchester County Public Schools
  • George J. Toepfer, Supervisor of Social Studies, Harford County Public Schools

Read speaker bios

Option 2

Service-Learning and Experiential Civic Learning: Rewards and Challenges in Providing Equitable Civic Engagement Opportunities

read more about this session

Maryland leads the nation as the only state to require service-learning for high school graduation. With leadership from school districts and teachers, student service-learning (SSL) and project-based learning (PBL) are infused in multiple grades and content areas. This approach makes it more possible for more young Marylanders - and their communities - to benefit from their service and civic engagement.

This session will feature experts who lead successful in-school and out-of-school “applied civics” projects and service-learning programs. It will also identify challenges that, if eliminated, could address barriers and equity concerns so that the promises of high-quality, meaningful service-learning and civic projects are realized by all students in the state.

This session is moderated by Lena Morreale Scott, Senior Faculty Specialist, University of Maryland College of Education

Roundtable participants:

  • Julie Ayers, Service-Learning Specialist, Maryland State Department of Education
  • Dr. Nia Imani Fields, Maryland 4-H Program Leader and Assistant Director of Extension, University of Maryland Extension
  • Carmelli Leal, President, Maryland Association of Student Councils
  • Kaitlyn E. Wright, English Educator, Wicomico High School, Wicomico County Public Schools
  • Dr. Sandra Rose, Social Studies Supervisor, K-12, Prince George's County Public Schools

Read speaker bios

5:15 - 6:40 pm : Roundtable Session 2

Select one of the following roundtables. Each roundtable will be followed by small group breakout discussions.
Click on each title to read the description, meet the featured speakers, and explore suggested resources.

Option 1

Media Literacy in an Era of "Truth Decay"

read more about this session

Digital technologies have changed our political lives. The Internet, in particular, has shifted the ways we network, investigate issues, and mobilize for change, creating new opportunities and challenges. All of this change leads to the question: How should civic education respond to prepare students for political life in a digital age?

This session will focus on how we can prepare young people through a focus on media and digital literacy. We'll consider how schools and community organizations engage young people in learning to evaluate, responsibly share, and produce online information on social and political topics. The session will celebrate successes that Maryland schools and teachers are already having in this area and identify barriers to equitable integration of media and digital literacy across the state.

This session is moderated by Dr. Sarah McGrew, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland College of Education

Roundtable participants:

  • Destiny Brown, Assistant Producer/Teaching Artist, Wide Angle Youth Media
  • Jennifer Sturge, Specialist for School Libraries and Digital Learning, Calvert County Public Schools
  • Scott G. Buhrman, Content Specialist - Social Studies, Washington County Public Schools
  • Anika Seth, Editor-in-Chief, Silver Chips (Montgomery Blair High School's editorially independent student newspaper)

    • Read speaker bios

Option 2

Deliberating Current and Controversial Issues: a Solution to Political Polarization?

read more about this session

“A deliberation is a discussion aimed at making a decision” (Parker 2006). When we ask students to deliberate current and controversial issues, we are asking them to engage in policy discussions that even our most experienced legislators have trouble discussing. And yet, these conversations are a necessary facet of our democracy. In a country fraught with deep political polarization, how should we facilitate deliberative discussions with students?

This session is moderated by Jen WheelerDirector, teacher professional development programs & curriculum, Street Law, Inc

Roundtable participants:

  • Kyair Butts, 2019 Baltimore City Public Schools Teacher of the Year
  • James Rossi, Maryland Representative, Middle States Council for Social Studies
  • Neha Singhal, High School Teacher, Montgomery County Public Schools
  • Alec Livieratos, Social Studies Institutional Team Leader, Hammond High School, Howard County Public Schools

    • Read speaker bios

6:45 - 7:00 pm : Closing Remarks

Remarks from:

  • Robert C. Orr, Dean, School of Public Policy University of Maryland College Park

  • Nicki Fiocco, Director, Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism the Maryland State Service Commission

  • Julie Silverbrook, Senior Director of Partnerships, iCivics

 Print at home

Our goal for the Summit is to create a space where Maryland leaders can celebrate what’s working and speak openly about the challenges our state faces.

To help create that environment in a digital space, we’ve partnered with Globe Collection and Press at MICA to make these interaction cards. During the Summit, hold up different cards to signal to others how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking. Have fun with them! Expressing what’s on your mind is necessary in a healthy democracy.

Print at home.png

Suggestion Box

If something pops into your head during the summit but don’t know what to do with it, drop it in the suggestion box. Think of it like a parking lot.

 

What you need to know before the Summit

Before the Summit


Basics

  • Update your Zoom: Ensuring your Zoom account is updated is one of the most important ways you can help us prevent tech issues on the day of the Summit!

  • We have a full agenda, so please arrive right at 3pm to ensure we start on time


Interaction Cards

Our goal for the Summit is to create a space where Maryland leaders speak openly and collaboratively. To help create that environment virtually, we designed a pack of interaction cards.

  • If you signed up before Feb 7 and live in Maryland, you should have received them in the mail

  • If you didn’t receive them in the mail, print them at home here

During the Summit

Zoom Protocol

Roundtable Sessions

There will be two sets of roundtable sessions. Learn about them on mdcivics.org/agenda (password: civics). This is your opportunity to hear from exemplary educators and practitioners from across Maryland.

  • Use the interactions cards to show your reactions and engage with the roundtable

  • Use the zoom chatbox to ask questions and share your thoughts

Breakout Rooms

After each roundtable, participants will go into small group breakout rooms. This is your opportunity to take yourself off mute, connect with other participants, and make your voice heard.

  • Keep these conversation norms in mind:

    • All ideas are welcome

    • Speak from your own experience

    • Seek to understand

    • Be cognizant of how much space you take up

    • Invite others to share

  • Breakout room discussions will not be recorded. However, we will ask one volunteer in each room to take notes. These notes will be used for research and to inform future Coalition work. All comments will be kept anonymous. Top level findings will be shared back with summit participants upon request. If you have any concerns, please email info@mdcivics.org.

Need help?

After the Summit


Keep the conversation going