As most of us settle into new school year routines and seek patience as we navigate the back-to-school morning traffic, I wanted to take this opportunity to add one more thing to your plate by encouraging all of us to advocate and participate in civics education for the next generation.
This is not just a nice way to get involved in our communities, but is part of our duties and responsibilities as lawyers, as custodians of the rule of law and as well-educated citizens.
If the American experiment in ordered liberty is to endure, its principles must be taught, tested and treasured by each generation.
As President Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
For many of us older citizens, civics education was not a priority in our primary or secondary school curriculums.
In fact, for years civics education was marginalized in public schools and displaced by test-driven curricula.
Fortunately, Florida recognizes the need for a focused curriculum grounded in civic knowledge. Sunshine State Standards — known as the Florida State Academic Standards for Social Studies — require civics instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade with a focus on understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the American Republic and creating a sense of civic pride.
Yet producing well-informed citizens requires more than paperwork and eloquently drafted standards. It demands active teaching — engaging students in discussion, critical thinking and real-world simulation. That’s where we, as lawyers can, and should, step forward to support our teachers.
No group is better positioned to explain the constitutional order or to demonstrate its practical importance.
We live and breathe the rule of law. We argue before impartial tribunals, interpret statutes, draft contracts and defend the accused.
These are not abstractions. They are daily testaments to a system that works — imperfectly, yes, but far better than any alternative devised by man. Our work illustrates the Constitution’s relevance and vitality.
So how can we get involved?
Share expertise in classrooms, not just on Law Day, but throughout the school year. Educators are always looking for new ways, and new faces, to help engage their students.
Support civic programs. Two of my most rewarding experiences in my career are my involvement with Justice Teaching and the Ribault Future Lawyers Program.
Both programs make it simple to get involved with preplanned activities and relationships with the school system.
Develop resources and workshops. Outside of Justice Teaching and the Ribault Future Lawyers Program, lawyers can collaborate with teachers to create age-appropriate lesson plans on topics like voting rights, landmark Supreme Court cases, government structure or current legislative issues.
Host or participate in civic engagement events.
Civics education should not stop when someone graduates high school. Offer to speak at a Rotary Club or other group and association meetings and provide “citizenship clinics.”
A simple topic is an overview of the Florida judicial system. The average Floridian does not know the difference between our county courts and circuits courts, but all should.
Pro tip: Students love to take something tangible with them and Amazon has a great deal on pocket constitutions in bulk.
Our task is not to produce ideologues, but citizens — men and women who understand the rights they possess and the responsibilities they bear.
That understanding is not innate. It must be taught and it must be lived.
Our Jacksonville Bar Association President Brian Coughlin calls on us this year to enhance the profession through service.
There is no better way to serve than to help educate future citizens and a maybe even a few future lawyers.
Alexandria Hill is a partner at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow where she practices corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, business, contracts, franchising and securities law.