Central District 2012 Teachers’ Institute

The use of technology brought 30 Los Angeles-area high school teachers and 20 D.C.-area high school teachers together for an interactive civics lesson without having to leave their respective courthouses.  The Central District of California, celebrated its 11th annual Teachers' Institute on October 23, 2012, by participating in a video conference hosted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.  The government, civics, and history teachers deepened their knowledge of the federal courts and learned innovative ways of teaching about the  judiciary.  District Judge Richard J. Leon of the D.C. District headlined the event with a judicial overview and a joint question-and-answer session.  Constitutional scholar Robert S. Peck, who is affiliated with the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier, involved the teachers by demonstrating how to use the Socratic method to teach Supreme Court precedents and apply them to contemporary issues.

High school teachers from Los Angeles and District of Columbia convene for an interactive civics lesson.