Discovering Justice Reaches 3,500 Students During Massachusetts Civic Learning Week

Discovering Justice was honored to host four events as part of the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition’s (MCLC) Fourth Annual Civic Learning Week, March 11-15. Three of these events invited K-12 classrooms across the Commonwealth to “Zoom with a Judge” to explore the justice system, and the fourth event engaged Massachusetts students, teachers, legislators, and their staff at the Massachusetts State House to speak on the importance of civic education in schools.

More than 3,500 students and teachers from across the Commonwealth logged into the “Zoom with a Judge” virtual events. More than 80 classrooms attended the Kindergarten-Grade 2 event, which was hosted by United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Chief Judge David Barron and Judge Gustavo Gelpí.

Meanwhile, 70 classrooms signed into the Grades 3-5 event hosted by Judge Lara Montecalvo and Judge Ojetta Thompson of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (below).

In the third “Zoom with a Judge” event, for Grades 6-12, students learned about their Fourth Amendment rights in schools from Chief Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court Donald Cabell and Associate Justice of the Massachusetts District Court, Brockton Michelle Fentress. Joining from classrooms across the state, students were able to think like judges themselves, explaining if they believed different scenarios were violations of students’ fourth amendment rights. 

Teachers in attendance praised the events as “engaging,” noting that students “were really excited to see the judges,” and they left the events excited to engage in nuanced conversation with their students.

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Middle School ‘Student Attorneys’ Wrestle with First Amendment Rights in Spring Mock Appeal Program

This spring, 29 middle school teams from 12 cities and towns across Massachusetts have joined Discovering Justice’s Mock Appeal Program. Through expanded district partnerships, that unprecedented number of teams includes four each from Brockton Public Schools and Springfield Public Schools.

Following five orientations this month for new and returning partners, these teams of ‘student attorneys’ began to delve into the complexities of the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and what that looks like in today’s age of social media. Sessions are now in full swing, with volunteer Legal mentors and students connecting in weekly afternoon sessions across the Commonwealth.

Student attorneys from the Hernandez K-8 School in Roxbury and volunteer Legal Mentors from WilmerHale pose for a selfie during their second Mock Appeal session at the school.

Building off precedent, case law, and facts of their case from the Fall Mock Trial Program, students have split into petitioner and respondent student attorney teams. Additionally, teams have begun to meet with judges to prepare for their Final Events.

While touring Boston’s John Adams Courthouse, student attorneys from Brookline’s Florida Ruffin Ridley School meet with Justice William J. Meade and Justice Sookyoung Shin of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
In a serendipitous moment, student attorneys cross paths with visiting Supreme Judicial Court Justices Serge George, Jr. and lawyer and Associate Justice Bessie Dewar.

Mock Appeal Final Events will take place between May 22nd and June 6th at courthouses across the Commonwealth. These events bring together the students’ semester of hard work as they present their cases to panels of judges in front of family and friends.

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Children Discovering Justice Students Learn to Take Action

Children Discovering Justice (CDJ) is a Massachusetts standards-based K-5 civics curriculum that has been revised and enhanced this year through feedback from Teacher Leaders and Professional Development cohort participants throughout the Commonwealth. Teachers can now access fully updated CDJ resources to elevate student discourse and build deeper social studies and civics connections in their classrooms. 

Erin Wallace, a 3rd grade teacher in Boston, shared, “The materials are very engaging and give students of all learning styles and abilities an access point!”

CDJ encourages discussion and collaboration among the Commonwealth's youngest learners.

 

This spring, CDJ classrooms are beginning to develop and implement civic action projects, from installing take-home food bins that reduce waste at school, to letters advocating for changes to the Massachusetts state flag. Using CDJ’s Justice Cycle and Justice Journal, students explore justice issues, enact research, make plans, and take action as a class – learning that they have a voice they can use to advocate for change in their communities.

CDJ inspires students to take action to explore and improve their communities.

Want to Stay Connected to CDJ? Sign up for the CDJ newsletter, or email questions to Curriculum Developer Victoria Suri: vsuri@discoveringjustice.org.

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State House Briefing for Legislators Platforms Massachusetts Students and Teachers

At a March 13th briefing organized by Discovering Justice, an audience of 60 Massachusetts legislators and their staff gathered in the Massachusetts State House to hear students and teachers speak on the importance of the state’s continued investment in civic education.

Discovering Justice Executive Director Matt Wilson opens the standing-room-only State House event.

Traveling to the State House from Cambridge, Fitchburg, North Andover, and North Attleboro, students aged from fourth to twelfth grades and their teachers presented their stories of the transformative power of civic education.

After learning about civics at school, North Attleboro High School senior Meagan Lee reports that “I am inspired to speak up about the needs of the community and believe I have the power to have an impact.”

Event speakers included, from left to right: Cambridge fourth grader Galina B., Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill), and North Attleboro graduating senior Meagan Lee.

Hard work remains to keep the Legislature engaged in supporting and investing in civic education in MA classrooms. Speakers urged the Legislature to level-fund and maintain the Civics Project Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is used by state education officials to develop civic education curricula and professional development for teachers and is also granted out to school districts to develop local civic education capacity.

However, those dedicated to the cause are unwavering in their convictions – like Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill), the first guest to speak at the event, reminding the room that “Civics education empowers students across the Commonwealth to realize they have agency to make change.”

And, as Cambridge fourth grader Galina B. attested, “Civics has empowered me to see that I can change the world, one project at a time.”

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Discovering Justice to Participate in MA Civic Learning Week, March 11-15th

This spring, Discovering Justice joins with the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC) and other civic leaders across the Commonwealth for Massachusetts Civic Learning Week.

From March 11-15, Discovering Justice and its partners will host events, bringing together local students, educators, policymakers, and leaders to energize the movement to make civic learning a top priority. The theme for this year’s civic learning week isCivic Learning as a Unifying Force Beyond 2024.”

Discovering Justice has three events planned. The organization will host two virtual “Zoom with a Judge” sessions for students in elementary through high school to learn about the judicial system directly from a judge In the name of MCLC, Discovering Justice will coordinate an in-person forum March 13 at the Massachusetts State House, which invites legislators and their staff to hear from students and teachers about civic education programs happening in districts across Massachusetts. 

Interested parties are invited to fill out MCLC’s interest form for more information, including registration dates.

Massachusetts Civics Learning Week is a part of National Civic Learning Week.

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Welcoming new members to the Board of Trustees

Discovering Justice is honored to welcome two new members to its Board of Trustees: Sarah Walters and Emily Sy. Welcome, Sarah and Emily!

Sarah Walters | Partner, McDermot Will & Emery

Sarah Walters brings a strong interest in civic education to the Discovering Justice Board and an admiration for the Mock Trial, Mock Appeal, and Children Discovering Justice Programs. The daughter of an attorney, Sarah grew up in Portland, Oregon, then switched coasts to study at UPenn and BC Law School. She has worked at Goodwin and Nutter and first encountered DJ while working in the Moakley Courthouse as an US Attorney.

Emily Sy | Litigation Counsel, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Emily chairs the Asian American Lawyers of Massachusetts and serves on the Boards of Greater Boston Legal Services and Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. She also led the Takeda Legal Mentor team for the Rindge Avenue Upper School in Cambridge. Emily grew up in Ohio and attended Wellesley College and law school at Yeshiva University. Previously, she worked at State Street and Nixon Peabody.

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Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.