Missouri teachers praise speakers, resources at 2026 Summer Institute
Each year, The Missouri Bar’s Citizenship Education Department hosts a free dynamic training program for educators specializing in American history, government, and civics. This year, 40 teachers from across the state attended Summer Institute, held July 26-29, to learn about judicial independence over the past 250 years of American history.
The bar’s Summer Institute is unique from other professional development programs because it’s an opportunity for educators to connect with and learn from prominent professionals in the legal field. This year, participants heard from Hon. Patricia Breckenridge, a retired Supreme Court of Missouri judge; Hon. Rebeca Navarro-McKelvey, with the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District; and Hon. Stephen Bough, with the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri.
“Typically, you just don’t get the time to be able to walk around and discuss those kinds of questions and topics with the professionals and the experts like you want,” said Matthew Heidger, of Eugene High School.
The program helps teachers expand their knowledge of American government and provides teachers with materials they can use in their classroom.
“It [Summer Institute] really allows me to expand and grow my knowledge on what government is and be able to articulate that to the kids ...” Heidger said.
Waynesville High School teacher Eric Thornburg appreciates that the materials and lessons are ready for the classroom.
“These are the sort of resources I wish I knew about when I was younger ...” Thornburg said. “I would have jumped on these opportunities. I would have been a better teacher earlier on.”
Carrie Guenzler-Heaney, of Lafayette High School, said her favorite part of the program was getting to study a federal court case and then discuss the case with the judge who ruled on it. She also found the materials extremely helpful.
Attendees said they found the four-day experience to be rewarding and fulfilling. It helped them to build confidence and feel equipped for the upcoming school year.
“There's more to learn [and] there’s more confidence to build for yourself, and then you can transfer [that] to your students,” Guenzler-Heaney said.
Stay informed about upcoming educational training and access valuable teacher resources offered by The Missouri Bar Citizenship Education Department at MissouriLawyersHelp.org/CivicEd.
View photos from Summer Institute here.
Lawyers interested in helping with civic education and teacher outreach should contact The Missouri Bar’s Citizenship Education Department at CitizenshipEducation@mobar.org.