First Lady Judge Rendell Announces Teachers Awarded for Best Civics Curriculum, Recognizes Value in Civics Education

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Civics education helps today's students become tomorrow's good citizens, First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell said today in announcing the top finalist teachers in the Civics First Curriculum Contest.

"Civics education can change a school environment as children are taught from an early age to take on the responsibilities of citizenship, which involve respect for the rights of others, recognition of authority, and public service," said First Lady Judge Rendell. "The civics curriculum entries were excellent, creative examples of how to do just that."  

The following teachers were awarded for the top civics curriculum:

• First Place – Dayna Laur (11th/12th grade lesson), Central York School District  
• Second Place – Eden Grassi (3rd grade lesson), Upper Merion School District
• Third Place – Joe Harmon (8th grade lesson), Redbank Valley School District
• Fourth Place – David Hall (12th grade lesson), North Penn School District
• Fifth Place – Nancy Cilli (3rd grade lesson), Upper Merion School District

The contest finalists included:

• Amanda McBriar (3rd grade lesson), Warren County School District
• Adam Sivitz (8th grade lesson), Chartiers Valley School District
• Renee Parker (3rd grade lesson), Selinsgrove Area School District
• Kevin Little and Ken Britcher (8th grade lesson), Middletown Area School District
• David Weidner (11th grade lesson), Bucks County Technical High School

The curriculum contest was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy, or PennCORD, the Department of Education and the National Constitution Center.

Lesson plans submitted were required to engage students in developing a deeper understanding of citizenship and how government works, and to be framed around the rights and responsibilities of citizenship as detailed in the state's Academic Standards. Participation was open to all teachers in grades K-12 in public, private, parochial and home schools.

"My vision is that all students will have a basic understanding of our representative democracy, will have experienced public participation in the democratic process, and will be better prepared to be engaged citizens," said First Lady Judge Rendell. "The entries in our contest were an amazing reflection of this vision."

PennCORD, founded by First Lady Judge Rendell, is a unique union of educational, advocacy and governmental organizations committed to improving civic learning for students in grades K-12. It supports civics education in schools by offering resources and opportunities to participate in statewide and local programs.

PennCORD will continue its legacy beyond the Rendell administration at the National Constitution Center. For more information about PennCord and the curriculum contest, visit www.penncord.org.

Media contacts:

Mia DeVane, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116

Steve Weitzman, Dept. of Education, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the First Lady