Illinois Civics Teacher Mentors

by Dr. Shawn Healy, Civic Learning Scholar, McCormick Foundation / Chair, Illinois Civic Mission Coalition


In order to support implementation of the new high school civics course requirement through the #CivicsIsBack campaign, the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition is recruiting teacher mentors representing every region of Illinois.

Mentors will receive training from local and national professional development providers with proven expertise in civic learning. Mentors, in turn, will co-facilitate two-day summer institutes for subscribing civics teachers in their respective regions. Mentors will also be responsible for ongoing engagement with teachers, schools, and districts in their assigned region throughout the school year that follows.

Mentors must have at least three years of experience teaching civics or government at the high school level in Illinois. This experience should include proficiency with instruction on government institutions, current and controversial issues discussions, service-learning and simulations of democratic processes. Both current and retired teachers will be considered.

While the deadline for applicants has passed, we are still seeking qualified candidates in the following regions/ counties:
  • Champaign/Ford
  • Clark/Coles/Cumberland/Douglas/Edgar/Moultrie/Shelby
  • Clay/Crawford/Jasper/Lawrence/Richland
  • Clinton/Jefferson/Marion/Washington
  • De Kalb
  • Edwards/Gallatin/Hamilton/Hardin/Pope/Saline/Wabash/Wayne/White
  • Franklin/Johnson/Massac/Williamson
  • Alexander/Jackson/Pulaski/Perry/Union
  • Iroquois/Kankakee
  • Henderson/Knox/Mercer/Warren
  • Peoria
  • Rock Island
  • Menard/Sangamon
  • Mason/Tazewell/Woodford

Interested candidates from these regions should complete this online application no later than March 15, 2016. Selected mentors will be notified by April 1, 2016

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