Contributions and Contradictions: Fostering Civil Discourse on America’s Founders

How should we grapple with the legacies of complex historical figures? Join Sphere Education Initiatives and Civic Spirit for this unique virtual professional learning opportunity. The webinar will take a deep dive into building civil discourse around the Founders, who embody both profound achievements and troubling flaws. We’ll explore the challenges of avoiding oversimplification, whether by elevating figures to untouchable pedestals or by dismissing them as wholly illegitimate.

In discussion, we’ll consider the role of historical context in shaping our understanding: Does it help us balance empathy with accountability, or does it risk excusing harmful actions under the guise of different times? We’ll discuss strategies for teaching students to recognize human fallibility in ways that develop their critical thinking and compassion while still holding fast to their values.

The event will connect these questions to the present day, sharing resources and strategies to help educators engage their students. We’ll demonstrate how to establish an open discourse with students to explore how they perceive and judge contemporary leaders, debates around monuments and institutions, as well as other social, political, and economic challenges. All this will be done with an eye toward helping students search for a meaningful line between human imperfection and actions that demand condemnation.

The conversation will equip educators with tools to navigate the complexities of history and its enduring influence on our culture, values, and public memory.

You will receive a professional development certificate for 1.5 hours for attending.”