Arizona Civics Podcast

Democracy begins in kindergarten. While most people think civic education starts in high school government class, our panel of passionate elementary educators reveals how young children are already practicing citizenship daily through classroom voting, community service, and learning about their responsibilities to one another.

These elementary teachers—representing second, third, and fifth grades from schools across Arizo...

Imagine a civics classroom where every student—regardless of ability, background, or learning style—can fully engage with the democratic principles that shape our society. Three exceptional educators from a civic literacy cohort share their revolutionary approaches to differentiating civic education, transforming traditional multiple-choice instruction into vibrant, accessible learning experiences.

These master teachers, r...

What does it truly look like to empower students as citizens? Justin Glodowski, a 14-year veteran teacher from Wisconsin, reveals practical strategies that transform students from passive learners into active civic participants.

Justin's approach begins with a foundational belief: if we want students to become engaged citizens, we must first teach them how to discuss difficult topics productively. Drawing from his exp...

Nancie Lindblom shares how meaningful professional development can transform teachers from classroom managers to content experts to civic education leaders.

• PD needs evolve from classroom management focus in early years to content expertise in later years
• Immersive experiences like visiting historical sites with expert historians create deeper understanding
• The James Madison Fellowship provides fully-funded m...

Four experienced teachers from diverse grade levels share how they collaborated to create a comprehensive civic literacy curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge and skills for democratic participation. Their teacher-created lessons span from kindergarten through high school, providing developmentally appropriate activities that make civic education accessible and engaging for all learners.

• Civic studies ...

Dr. Monica Ketchum-Cardenas, president of the Arizona Council for History Education, shares an array of resources and opportunities available to Arizona history and civics teachers that many educators don't know exist.

• ACHE membership costs only $25 annually and includes free conference access plus National Council for History Education membership
• The organization offers classroom grants up to $500 for curricu...

The invaluable expertise of classroom teachers is the foundation of effective civic education, as demonstrated by three veteran educators who share their experiences developing curriculum that truly engages students.

• Teachers know their students better than anyone, allowing them to create curriculum that addresses knowledge gaps
• Post-COVID classrooms present unique challenges that only current teachers fully unders...

Teachers on the frontlines of civic education share strategies for empowering students to become confident, engaged citizens through structured resources and collaborative learning approaches.

• Teachers face three main challenges in civic education: time constraints, lack of resources, and hesitation around controversial topics
• Quality structured lessons and primary source documents reduce barriers for educators at ...

Unlock the door to financial literacy with our compelling conversation with Teresa Mungai, the Director of Education Services and Impact at the Arizona Council on Economic Education. Financial literacy has never been more essential for students navigating complex economic realities. April is Financial Literacy Month, bringing forth vital conversations about money management and economic choices that affect every aspect of life. Ter...

Civic education is more relevant than ever as polarization seeps into classrooms, impacting both educators and students. We discuss the importance of fostering civil discourse and provide resources for teachers to engage their students in meaningful conversations about civic topics while aligning with state standards.

• The state of polarization among students and educators 
• Alarming statistics on self-censorship in ...

Can civics education be the key to career success? Join us as we explore this compelling question with Allison Cook, the Chief Program and Impact Officer at Generation Citizen. Our discussion reveals how essential skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and ethical decision-making acquired through civics education aren't just for passing exams—they're crucial for thriving in any professional environment. Together, we unr...

In this episode, we unravel the fascinating history of women’s suffrage in Arizona, a state that initially entered the Union without giving women the right to vote, yet rapidly moved towards suffrage even before the Nineteenth Amendment took effect in 1920. We'll explore the complex landscape of political reform in the early 1900s and how social movements collided within the Arizona Constitutional Convention.

Join us ...

In this episode, we dive into a pivotal moment in American history when Congress prepared to admit Arizona and New Mexico as the final contiguous states. We explore the intriguing and contentious relationship between President William Howard Taft and the progressive aspirations of Arizonans as they drafted their state constitution. Despite Taft's reputation as a trustbuster, his conservative views on constitutional law led him...

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes and some of the largest Indigenous populations and reservations in the United States, making up over one-quarter of the state’s land area. In this episode, we explore the unique relationship between tribal nations, Arizona’s state government, and the federal government.

What does it mean for tribal nations to be considered “domestic dependent nations,” and how does sovereignty functi...

Education is one of the most vital roles of state and local governments, and in Arizona, this responsibility is enshrined in the state Constitution. In this episode, we explore how Arizona fulfills its obligation to provide public education through a mix of state and local partnerships. From public schools—both traditional and charter—to private school and homeschooling support, we’ll examine the options available to Arizona famili...

How do you balance judicial independence with accountability? Arizona answers this question using a modified version of the Missouri Plan to select appellate and many lower court judges. In this episode, we explore the evolution of judicial selection in the United States, from competitive elections to the federal appointment model and the Missouri Plan’s hybrid approach.

Learn why Arizona rejected lifetime appointments, embraced ele...

Unlike the U.S. government, where the president leads the executive branch with centralized authority, Arizona takes a different approach. The state’s executive branch is divided among multiple elected officials, including the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state, each chosen independently by voters.

In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of Arizona’s decentralized leadership model. How does having multiple lead...

Arizona’s government mirrors the U.S. system with its Senate and House of Representatives, but its Constitution takes democracy a step further. With 30 districts electing one senator and two representatives each, the legislature works to craft state laws. Yet, Arizonans don’t stop at electing officials—they can also create, amend, or block laws themselves through direct democracy.

In this episode, we break down how initiatives and r...

Not all democratic societies rely on formal written constitutions. The British model allows for flexible governance, while Arizona’s Constitution, the easiest to amend in the U.S., takes a similar approach—emphasizing responsiveness over restraint. In this episode, we explore how Arizona’s Founders embraced a progressive vision of constitutionalism that prioritizes majority rule and direct democracy.

From Thomas Jefferson’s belief i...