Last week, the 91·çÃùÄñ³ª at Lake Tahoe was alive with energy and purpose as it hosted the 2025 , in partnership with the (NVCCE). From July 21-25, a dynamic cohort of fourth through twelfth grade educators from across Nevada came together in scenic Incline Village to deepen their knowledge of U.S. government and history, while exploring innovative ways to bring civic learning to life in their classrooms.
Open to teachers across a wide range of subject areas including Social Studies, English Language Arts, Special Education and English Learner instruction, the weeklong institute offered hands-on workshops, collaborative curriculum design and engaging field experiences at local cultural and government institutions. Participating teachers received class sets of textbooks, career supporting stipends, classroom resources and ongoing support through monthly professional learning community (PLC) sessions that will continue throughout the school year.
“This was more than professional development, it was a true community of practice,” said Rick Trachok, executive director of the 91·çÃùÄñ³ª’s Center for Constitutional Law, who visited the institute earlier in the week. “We were proud to welcome these educators to our Lake Tahoe campus and to support their vital role in preparing Nevada’s next generation of engaged citizens.”
Next endeavors
Building on the momentum of this exciting week, the 91·çÃùÄñ³ª’s Center for Constitutional Law is already looking ahead to its next major milestone: the 2026 Summer Teacher's Institute. This upcoming event marks a significant expansion of collaboration with the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement (NCCE) and continues to deepen the University’s investment in civic education.
Set to take place at the University’s scenic Lake Tahoe campus, the 2026 Summer Teacher's Institute will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For the first time, the Center for Constitutional Law, which is housed within the College of Liberal Arts, and NCCE will co-lead up to three week-long residential sessions. This expanded format will offer teachers from across the country an immersive experience that blends the Center’s academic depth and national network of constitutional scholars with NCCE’s hands-on expertise in civic engagement pedagogy.
Through rigorous content training and practical classroom strategies, participants will gain both the knowledge and the tools to bring the Constitution to life for their students. As Christine Hull, executive director of NCCE, put it: “Our goal is to help educators feel both informed and empowered, to return to their classrooms with deeper knowledge, ready-to-use resources and a renewed passion for teaching civics in a way that connects with students and communities alike.”
Together, these summer institutes underscore the University’s growing role as a leader in civic education and public engagement throughout Nevada and beyond.
