School may be out, but Discovering Justice staff and volunteers are hard at work preparing for the new school year. Lawyers, teachers, law students, and even an expert in legal English education have been instrumental in updating Discovering Justice’s Mock Trial program. Thanks to the group’s efforts, the program will offer a new case on a First Amendment or Fifth Amendment case and a revamped curriculum to middle school students in 35 schools across the region.

Fellows work directly with a Discovering Justice staff person to run our civic education programs or build the organization’s operational capacity through our communications outreach, fundraising, and event planning. During the semester-long program, Fellows will lead and complete projects, collaborate with both staff members and other Fellows, and learn more about the state of civic education and the operations of nonprofit organizations. Our staff and volunteers provide an open and welcoming environment that enables Fellows to take on responsibilities and learn core nonprofit skills to help in their careers.

The ideal Fellow:

• Is passionate about civic education and the need to protect and promote our democracy.
• Can commit to working 40 hours a week with a dynamic and energetic staff (at least 25 hours for a Part-Time Fellowship).
• Has excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Loves to work with a team and wants to learn new skills.
• Is interested in pursuing a career in nonprofits, teaching, or the law.

Help us congratulate and say goodbye to Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Program Manager Luke Matys, who will be leaving staff at the end of July. He will be starting a new job with The Possible Zone, which assists high school students on their vocational and higher education paths.

Hired as a Senior Education Associate in October of 2019, Luke jumped right into the middle of Discovering Justice’s fall Mock Trial program. When COVID hit the next spring, the Mock Appeal Program was put on hold and Luke dove deep into the Programs’ curricula, format, and student lessons to make it available and accessible online. In the Fall of 2020, the program resumed and old and new schools joined the Program virtually. In 2021, Luke was promoted to Program Manager and his leadership has helped grow the Programs to nearly 30 teams, more than doubling its pre-pandemic size.

“Luke’s ability and passion for building connections with legal mentors, teachers, school administrators, and middle school students made him a unique fit to manage the Mock Appeal and Mock Trial Programs,” said Matt Wilson, Discovering Justice’s Executive Director. “We know he will excel in his new role at The Possible Zone.”

Luke accomplished much in his four years here. And he did it all with his wit and a smile on his face.

• With the help of legal volunteers, he created two new cases for the Programs, one on First Amendment free speech issues and the other on 4th Amendment search and seizure issues.
• He led the expansion of our work in many of the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities – Brockton, Framingham, Lowell, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester.
• He trained and oversaw nine Mock Trial/Appeal Fellows providing training and mentorship to these young professionals and helping them start their nonprofit career.
• Each semester he trained and managed more than 125 mentors and more than 25 teachers a semester to serve the 400+ students in the Programs.
• He oversaw the first team outside of Massachusetts with the addition of a middle school in Providence, Rhode Island.
• Under his management, the Programs now have its culminating events in the Moakley and ten Federal and District Courts across the Commonwealth.

While the staff at Discovering Justice is sad to see Luke leave, we are excited to see what is next for him and how he continues to use his skills and talents to help educate and energize the next generation.

-Matt Wilson and the whole Discovering Justice Staff

This tour allows students to explore law in action and learn about the art, architecture, and history of this civic space. The 2-3 hour College Student Court Visit consists of an hour guided tour of the building, a visit with a Federal Judge or other Legal Professionals at the Moakley, and/or observation of the First Circuit Court of Appeals oral arguments or District Court hearings. This is a unique opportunity for professors and students interested and involved in the legal field to see firsthand the system of justice through this experiential learning experience.

“Learning about the function of the justice system was an eye-opening and highly enjoyable experience. The courthouse itself was very beautiful and full of history and symbolism and the tour provided by the Discovering Justice staff was even more impressive. I recommend this experience to all students, particularly college students who may be interested in working in the justice system. It opens your eyes to so many opportunities.” Cameron Howard, Emmanuel College, Class of 2025, a College Student Court Visitor.

“My favorite part of our tour was seeing the inside of a courtroom. Sitting in the room where justice happens, and learning about the justice system, was a unique and very cool experience.” Annabelle Sarojak, Emmanuel College, Class of 2025, a College Student Court Visitor.

The Children Discovering Justice curriculum will expand to Grade Three this year with new modules ready to be released next month for the 2023-24 school year.

With the updated curriculum, Third Grade teachers across the Commonwealth will focus on justice and Native peoples, consistent with the Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework. With lessons on tribal sovereignty, impacts of erasure on Native peoples, and through case studies of present-day advocacy, students will explore the hard history of this country and the reclamation that many are advocating for today.

In May, the Massachusetts Senate approved a budget that includes a 25% increase to the Civics Project Trust Fund to $2.5 million. The Trust Fund supports curriculum and teacher professional development around civic education, both on a state and school district level.

With the additional funds voted unanimously by a 39-0 vote into the Senate budget, but not the House budget passed in April, a Conference Committee of six members (Senators Rodrigues, Friedman, and O’Connor and Representatives Michlewitz, Ferrante, and Smola) has been meeting for the last six weeks to decide whether the final budget will include the Senate’s $2.5 million allocation or the House’s $1.5 million allocation.

With the final vote imminent, please click here to take two minutes to send a quick note to encourage your local State Representative and state Senator to support civics in the Conference Committee by increasing funding for the Civic Project Trust Fund to $2.5 million. The budget process should wrap up in the next week, so send your letter today.