This July, Courts4Civics partnered with federal courts, educational institutions, and community organizations to host three Teacher Institutes designed to strengthen civics education and deepen teachers’ understanding of the federal judiciary. Held in Washington, D.C., Charleston, West Virginia, and Richmond, Virginia, the three institutes brought together educators from all over the Fourth Circuit for immersive, hands-on learning experiences featuring courthouse tours, conversations with judges and court staff, and more.
On July 8, 2026, the D.C. Circuit and Courts4Civics co-hosted the first Teacher Institute at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, D.C. Six teachers from Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. learned about the structure and work of the federal courts. The program included an overview of the federal court system led by Carrie Gray, career law clerk to Judge Barabara Keenan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Courts4Civics coordinator. The teachers participated in a question and answer session with three judges: Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Chief Judge James E. Boasberg and Judge Loren L. AliKhan from the U.S. District Court for D.C. Among other topics, the judges addressed the importance of judicial independence, the broad spectrum of types of cases they hear, and how cases move through the court system, from trial court to the U.S. Supreme Court.
E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, Washington, D.C.
When asked what skills teachers may wish to focus on developing with their students, Chief Judge Srinivasan addressed the importance of civil discourse and consensus building. By that, he explained that many people in today’s society focus on convincing others to join their position. But to build real consensus, the Chief Judge emphasized the importance of being open-minded to hearing others’ views and discussing where views align.
Teachers also toured the courthouse and learned about civics education resources and programs available through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The day concluded with a networking luncheon with local attorneys from the Federal Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association Foundation, and the mediators from D.C. Circuit Court.
One of the teachers called the event "incredible," and asked that future trainings be a full-day to allow even more learning. Several of the teachers remarked that they particularly enjoyed meeting the judges and hearing about the particular types of cases they hear.
Nine more educators attended a Teacher Institute the following day, on July 9, 2026, in the Southern District of West Virginia at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia. Chief Judge Frank W. Volk welcomed the teachers, and Teaching Associate Professor Mary Claire Davis of the West Virginia University College of Law presented a federal courts and civics education overview. Teachers then heard about careers in the court and participated in an interactive civics demonstration led by Chief Judge Volk. The highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the inner workings of the federal judiciary featuring Judge Stephanie D. Thacker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Chief Judge Volk, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley. The day concluded with a courthouse tour, giving teachers an opportunity to explore the historic courthouse and continue conversations with members of the judiciary.
Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse, Charleston, West Virginia
Reflecting on the importance of the program, Judge Stephanie Thacker remarked:
“It was my honor to participate in the Courts4Civics Teachers Institute. Civics education is critical to maintaining the strength of our democracy after 250 years. The nation’s teachers are on the front line of that effort, and I applaud and admire them for the work they do.”
The final Teacher Institute of the summer was held on July 21, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. This is the third annual event co-hosted by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and Courts4Civics. Twenty-three teachers participated in a full day that connected history, civic engagement, and the federal courts. The morning session took place at the museum’s Civics Education Center, where educators explored exhibits, participated in a workshop on guiding student discussions about the power of petition, and learned about the museum’s Project Citizen initiative – a program for middle, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult groups that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government.
In the afternoon, participants traveled to the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. United States Courthouse, where Chief Deputy Clerk Mark O’Brien, Deputy Clerk Tony Webb, and Circuit Librarian Suzanne Corriell introduced teachers to careers within the federal judiciary and provided an overview of the court system. Following a courthouse tour led by Sarah Carr, Web Administrator and Vice Chair of Courts4Civics, teachers engaged in a panel discussion with Judge Roger L. Gregory and Senior Judge Barbara M. Keenan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, along with Senior Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The judges shared their perspectives on the judicial process and answered many of the teacher’s questions.
Lewis F. Powell, Jr. United States Courthouse, Richmond, Virginia
Together, these three Teacher Institutes provided educators with meaningful opportunities to interact directly with members of the federal judiciary, explore courthouse resources, and discover engaging civics education materials they can bring back to their classrooms. Courts4Civics remains grateful to its court partners, educational institutions, and volunteers, whose commitment continues to inspire the next generation of informed and engaged citizens.