Missouri teachers express their gratitude for The Missouri Bar’s participation in professional development workshops

In early February, the citizenship education department hosted a professional development workshop for teachers in Springfield. The all-day session focused on the First Amendment and Protest. The teachers were provided with classroom-ready materials on cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines and Mahanoy v. B.L. as well as the neo-Nazi protests in Skokie, Illinois and Charlottesville, Viriginia. 

On Feb. 28 and 29, the citizenship education also department sponsored the annual Street Law Professional Development Workshop in Jefferson City, along with the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, and the Judicial Learning Center.  

The workshop focused on the First Amendment and social media. Participants considered cases Counterman v. Colorado, Mahanoy v. B.L., and O’Connor v. Garnier. They also heard from leaders in the legal field including Federal Magistrate Judge Willie Epps, Judge Paul Wilson of the Supreme Court of Missouri, Joe Goff of Armstrong Teasdale, Green County Prosecutor Jacqueline Ledezma-Ruelas, Professor Haley Proctor of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, Cale Spangler of Spangler and Ward, and Lowell Pearson of Husch Blackwell.  

Here's what teachers are saying about Street Law: 

"Street Law brought professional, hands-on training to educators in Jefferson City. Their materials are relevant and high quality, their sessions are engaging, and their depth of knowledge is refreshing to teachers striving to bring quality government and civics education to students around Missouri. It was a privilege to be a part of Street Law's educational outreach," said Sarah Anibal. 

"I cannot express my gratitude to The Missouri Bar for hosting such an amazing professional development opportunity. From the guest speakers to the content and venue, everything was thought out. But most importantly, there was a passion about constitutional law that cannot be denied. I was so humbled being in a room with such like-minded people understanding that constitutional law matters to the great good of our nation. I hope that I will have the opportunity to attend again in the future," said Victor Bell. 

“This was the best professional development I've attended in a decade! It was engaging, informative, and could be taken back to the classroom for use the following day. I would recommend this to anyone who'll listen to me,” said Karen Parker. 

“Street Law provides outstanding resources designed to captivate students and foster the development of essential skills as they embark on their journey to becoming active participants in our democratic system,” said Eric Thornburg.