Ryan Werenka has taught Social Studies at Troy High School in Troy, Michigan for over twenty years. Ryan teaches AP US Government and Politics and AP Comparative Government and Politics. Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Social Sciences from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!) and a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College.

Ryan is currently serving as a Board Member on the Michigan Council for Social Studies and is also serving on the National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council, PBS NewsHour Classroom Advisory Board, and the Retro Report Council of Educators. Ryan has coached high school football for almost 20 years and is currently serving as the Quarterbacks coach at Troy High School. Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, especially when they are cheering on their beloved Detroit Pistons.

Meghan designs and oversees the curriculum at EXPLO, an engaging summer program rooted in experiential learning for students from around the country and the world. Before taking on her current role she spent time as an Assistant Principal and a number of years teaching middle school US History, Geography, Government, and Math. She has a Masters in Administration and Supervision for Changing Populations from Notre Dame of Maryland University and completed her undergraduate studies at Washington College. Meghan enjoys swimming, traveling, attending concerts, and causing trouble with her nieces and nephews. She loves living in Boston, Massachusetts but will share her home-state Maryland pride with anyone and everyone she meets.

Linnet lives and teaches in St. Louis, MO. She currently teaches 6th grade social studies. She studied history at Saint Louis University as an undergrad and has a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently working on her Ed.S in Educational Leadership. When she's not teaching or studying she can be found reading, writing, traveling, gardening or spending time with her family.

Jonathan Peralto is an 8th-grade Social Studies teacher and department head at Waiakea Intermediate School in Hilo, Hawaii. Born and raised on the Big Island, Jonathan attended Hilo High School then Linfield University in Oregon, majoring in American History. He later earned a Masters of Education and his teaching credentials from Chaminade University in Honolulu. Athletics have always been an important part of Jonathan's life...playing soccer, basketball, track & field, canoe paddling, surfing, and even snowboarding!

Learning has always been (and will continue to be!) a vital part of Liz’ life; she began to fall in love with the study of history and government at a young age. Liz earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and has been teaching social studies at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School in Fort Collins,CO since 2010. In May of 2020, Liz completed her MA in American History through the Gilder Lehrman program at Pace University. At Polaris, she teaches US History and American Government each year along with various rotating additional social studies courses including We the People, World Geography, American Sports History, National Parks.

Liz believes that the classroom should be a safe and welcoming place for students to ask questions and seek answers, collaborate with teachers and peers, practice unconventional and imaginative thinking, grow as citizens and leaders, and develop meaningful analytical and communication skills that will serve them for the rest of their life. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing students light up when they understand concepts, make connections, develop new lines of inquiry, create work they are proud of, and discover their own love of learning. When not in the classroom, Liz can most likely be found at the ballpark cheering on the Rockies, traversing trails on her mountain bike, protecting her garden from Colorado’s ever-changing weather, exploring the world, or spending time with her partner, Scott and their dog, Chauncey.

Also known as, "The-Canadian-Who-Teaches-American-Civics & Government", Shaunie grew up in Canada, but with American citizenship through her mother, has been living in Washington State for over 25 years. As a high school completion instructor at Green River College, she has the unique opportunity to teach students ages 16 through adult, both international and domestic. This makes for a fun, diverse class with fascinating perspectives. Shaunie firmly believes in the importance of every student understanding their rights in the United States and desires to inspire civic engagement. She strives to make her classroom an engaging learning community where everyone has a voice and challenging topics can be addressed constructively.

Shairdá Brown understands the need for social awareness and civic engagement. More importantly she understands the importance of cultivating an authentic voice. Although she is in her second year of teaching, she makes government, economics and citizenship applicable for young people through writing, skill-building, and discussion. Her aim is for students to be able to navigate the world around them confidently and express themselves in a true and articulate way. Brown teaches at Riverdale High School in Jefferson, Louisiana, and is a modeling and etiquette coach at Launch Models. She likes to box, do yoga and write poetry. On the weekends she spends time with her younger cousins.

"I'm not in the business of molding minds,” Brown said. “I aim to give youth tools to help them mold themselves."

You can find Ms. Brown on Instagram @shairdakimiko

Emily Glende lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and she has been teaching social studies for seven years. She has taught Ancient History, U.S. Government, Human Geography, Utah History, and U.S. History. Emily is particularly interested in project-based and experiential learning. She loves to engage with other teachers to design transformative and student-centered experiences. Emily has taught in public, charter, and independent schools, and these experiences have exposed her to the variety of ways that teachers can create learning contexts that work for their students. Emily received her Master's Degree in American History and Government from Ashland University. She is a James Madison Fellow. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking the mountains of Utah and learning how to cook.

Rebecca Weiss is a high school teacher and department chair in Carrollton, Texas. She has degrees in History and in American Studies. Over the last fifteen years, she has taught various social studies classes including government, American History, advanced placement courses, World Geography, and a current events elective. She has a passion for all things the Constitution, civics education, and for seeing young people get excited about launching into the responsibilities of citizenship.

Chuck Taft is an 8th grade history coach and department chair at University School of Milwaukee. Chuck tries (heavy on the try) to make the nation's past come alive for my 8th grade young historians through enthusiasm, activity, technology, humor, and massive amounts of Jolly Ranchers. He loves learning, ‘cuz learning is cool!

Laura Brusseau is a teacher, mentor, and lifelong volunteer. She teaches high school social studies in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and she advises the Rotary Interact Service Club which focuses on helping both locally and internationally.

Donna Morin has earned a BA in Psychology and a MAT in Secondary Social studies from UNH. She is currently teaching at Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH and teaches American Government, Social Revolutions and Sociology, as well as co-advising Student Council and the GSA. Her previous teaching experience includes Pinkerton Academy and Clearway High School. She married her best friend from 7th grade and they have 3 children, 2 dogs and a very lazy bearded dragon together. She enjoys hiking, reading, and walking her 2 amazing puppies whenever she can.

Nate has been teaching social studies for over a decade and this will be his fifth year at South Meadow School in Peterborough, NH. Born and raised in NH, he attended UNH for his undergraduate work, and Rivier University for grad school. His interests include mushroom hunting, writing, and growing heirloom chili peppers.

Jason Jaffe has been a high school social studies educator and leader for over ten years, currently serving as the Social Studies Department Chair at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois. Jaffe is an Illinois native and earned is undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of Iowa and his master's degree in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois. When he is not thinking about politics, education, law, or any combination thereof, he loves musicals and spending time with his wife Susie, daughter Rosie and son Theo.

Ellis Clay (also known as just “Clay”) grew up in San Diego, CA. He has served in the US Army, and worked in the business and hospitality industries prior to teaching. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Fresno State University, with an emphasis in Multicultural and Social Justice Education. He has been a professional educator since 2013. Clay has a love for learning inherited from his mother, a former Head Start Director. His interest in design thinking and project-based learning led him to develop innovative ideas for engaging students in civics and history. Follow him at @humaniteach

Neal is a social studies teacher with a passion for the Constitution. Neal has volunteered for the Maine Model United Nations Conference, mentored hundreds of students through outdoor-based education, and worked as a program facilitator during several cultural exchanges involving young people from Iraq and the United States. Neal currently teaches Civics & Government and U.S. History I at Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Maine. Go Bulldogs!

Taylor is a social studies teacher at Wauwatosa East High School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in History and Political Science. Taylor has long had an interest in broadcasting and media, and while in college he hosted a sports talk radio show. After graduating, he worked in the private sector for a year, and then returned to UW-Madison and graduated with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and English as a Second Language. Taylor currently teaches AP Human Geography and American Public Policy Special Emphasis, the latter of which participates in the “We the People” national competition.

Colleen is an eighth grade social studies teacher at Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in history and is working on her EdM from the same institution. Colleen is an active participant in the Illinois Civics educator community and is completing coursework to become a Distinguished Educator in the area of facilitating current & societal issue discussions through the Lou Frey Institute. In her free time, Colleen loves enjoying the coast of Lake Michigan and spending time with her loved ones.

Cary Waxler has been a Social Studies teacher for 17 years. He has taught A.P. U.S. Government, A.P. Comparative Government, A.P. U.S. History, 21st Century Issues, U.S. History, and other classes. He enjoys reading non-fiction and is active on Twitter at @Waxler81. He is a National Board Certified Teacher. Cary lives in northern Illinois with his spouse and two kids.