2023 – Page 6 – Discovering Justice

24 FebNews

Discovering Justice Delivers Insightful Professional Development for Teachers Across the Commonwealth

This school year, over 600 elementary school educators in Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Dennis-Yarmouth, Hopkinton, and Springfield have participated in professional learning to utilize the Children Discovering Justice curriculum and integrate civics into their classroom.

Discovering Justice’s professional development supports elementary teachers in civics pedagogy including cultivating perspective-taking, empathy, and civic engagement in their students. Teachers hear examples of student discourse, explore the resources in the Children Discovering Justice K-3 curriculum, and plan how to use them in their own classrooms.

“Expertly prepared presenter and an interesting topic… The materials are so thoughtfully created, and practical – as a long-time teacher I can tell that teachers were a key part of their creation,” reported Boston Public School teacher Elaine Cusick of Russell Elementary School.

Discovering Justice partners with districts and schools to provide professional development sessions that prepare educators to discuss complex issues with young learners. These trainings inform educators on the tools and resources available in the curriculum and provide best practices for leading civil discourse in the classroom.

Contact Education Program Director, Laura Brenner, at lbrenner@discoveringjustice.orgto bring K-5 civics professional development to your district.

Are you interested in learning more about the Children Discovering Justice curriculum?

02 FebNews

Welcome Discovering Justice’s Spring 2023 Fellows

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Discovering Justice’s sixth class of Fellows welcomes Katie Kuykendall, a current co-op student at Northeastern, Adam Harrington, a 2021 graduate from the University of Maryland, and Corita Miles, a University of Massachusetts Boston graduate.

For the past three years, Discovering Justice’s Fellowship has provided more than 20 young professionals an opportunity to work directly with staff to coordinate civic education work for students across the Commonwealth. Thanks to our donors, we are able to provide Fellows with a stipend to support themselves through the semester. Many Fellows have used their time at Discovering Justice as a launching pad for their nonprofit career or as a stepping stone to law school and other master’s programs.

Katie grew up in Houston and is a third year at Northeastern University. She is currently working on her BA in History and Political Science with a minor in Sociology. On campus, she is involved with various academic organizations, including writing for the Northeastern Historical Review and the Northeastern Political Review.

Katie is the Development and Event Fellow and is working with COO Ann Gogol on Discovering Justice’s Annual Gala on June 22. Katie will also be helping out with the Tours, Field Trips, and Mock Appeal Programs.

Adam has long been interested in service, policy, and education. He graduated in 2021 from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a degree in Government & Politics, with minors in Rhetoric and Philosophy. A Lexington resident, Adam interned for State Representative Jay Kaufman and Congresswoman Katherine Clark. He has also volunteered on numerous political campaigns, taught as a debate educator, and worked as a baker.

Adam is working with Executive Director Matt Wilson and the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition as the Advocacy Fellow working to increase the Commonwealth’s investment in civic education for Massachusetts students.

Corita graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a B.S. in Biology and has always had a keen interest in service, diversity inclusion, and equity. As a Boston resident, she is an active member of the NAACP, United Neighbors of Lower Roxbury (UNLR), and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

As the Mock Appeal Fellow, Corita will work with Luke Matys, the organization’s Mock Trial, Mock Appeal, and Topics Program Manager, to run this spring’s Mock Appeal Program for middle schoolers across Massachusetts.

30 JanNews

Moakley Field Trips – Opportunities for Experiential Learning

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Through Discovering Justice Field Trips, students receive hands-on experience in examining the workings of the justice system and exploring the ideals of justice.

The Field Trips, led by Courthouse Program Associate Kiara Batista, provide a guided tour of the Moakley Courthouse, a meeting with a judge, and an opportunity to watch a court proceeding for Grades 8 and up, or to participate in a courtroom activity for younger grades.

During meetings with judges, students can gather the perspectives of legal experts to learn more about the process of justice in the United States. Students are also encouraged to critique this process during the courtroom activities by thinking about what justice means to them personally and collectively.

“Kids spoke out more on the field trip than we’ve seen them in class,” said Dania Lezama, a Third Grade Inclusion Teacher from the Roger Clap Elementary School in Boston, who brought her third grade students into the Moakley for a field trip.

Students in Grades 8 and above can observe the justice system in action by attending a trial in person. Court observation tends to be a favorite for students who can learn and gather information first hand about the daily workings of the judicial system.

Field trips are available for students in grades 1-12 and are approximately 1.5-2 hours long and can be booked with Batista here. Visits are also available for college students and can be booked here.

15 JanNews

Discovering Justice Spring Fellowships Available

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Discovering Justice Fellows engage in meaningful work from their first day on the job. Whether working directly with the Mock Trial Program Manager to plan eleven courthouse events across Massachusetts, or developing an outreach and advocacy campaign to encourage public officials to invest in civic education, Fellows have a tangible impact on civic education across the Commonwealth.

Applications for the five-month Spring Fellowship Program are being accepted through January 27th. Fellowships run from February through June and full-time Fellows receive a $4,500 stipend. The Fellowship is a great opportunity for a recent college graduate or an undergraduate taking a gap term or is participating in a co-op program.

This Spring, Discovering Justice is hiring for the following Fellowships:

Civic Education Organizing and Advocacy
Courthouse Programs – Field Trips and Tours
Development and Gala Event Planning
Mock Appeal Program

You can read more about the Fellowships here. Applicants can send a resume and cover letter to Malia Brooks at careers@discoveringjustice.org.

Discovering Justice Delivers Insightful Professional Development for Teachers Across the Commonwealth

Welcome Discovering Justice’s Spring 2023 Fellows

Moakley Field Trips – Opportunities for Experiential Learning

Discovering Justice Spring Fellowships Available

Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders

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Kayla Nordman