OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University’s (UVU) Center for Constitutional Studies hosted the K-12 Wasatch Front regional civics training for educators, focusing on the Declaration of Independence in commemoration of the United States’ 250thanniversary. Civic educators from across the Wasatch Front attended for a day of instruction by top civics scholars, curriculum development workshops, and primary-source discussions.
The training is one of several hosted across the state as part of UVU’s Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative (CTLI) in partnership with Brigham Young University’s (BYU) Center for Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling. More than 700 teachers statewide have received training since the Utah Legislature first created the initiative in 2021.
The one-day training offered specific sessions for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade teachers, as well as two secondary-level training options: one designed for social studies teachers and another for non-social studies teachers. Teachers who participated not only deepened their own content knowledge but were also equipped with new ways and tools to teach about the Declaration of Independence. About 140 teachers attended the Wasatch Front regional training, representing 10 school districts.
Year over year, CTLI provides training for K-12 teachers in Northern Utah, the Wasatch Front, and Southern Utah, in addition to several rural trainings, reaching teachers who may not be able to travel to urban hubs. CTLI aims to develop the next generation of citizens and civic leaders by cultivating the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and virtues necessary for a just, free, and flourishing constitutional republic.
The UVU Center for Constitutional Studies is a nonpartisan, academic institute that promotes the instruction, study, and research of constitutionalism. The Center examines important constitutional issues found at the intersection of political thought, public policy, religion, law, history, and economics. It employs a multidisciplinary approach to equip a new generation of citizens and leaders with a broad understanding of the ideas and practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law. To learn more about the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative, please visit https://www.uvu.edu/ccs/civic_thought_leadership/index.html.
About Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University believes in the power and potential of every student. Our work is guided by a commitment to exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results. We provide a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. From certificates to master’s degrees, UVU offers flexible, relevant programs grounded in hands-on learning and real-world experiences, ensuring that students graduate with career-ready skills and are ready to receive a strong return on investment. As an open-enrollment university, we invite students to come as they are, and they leave prepared to make an immediate impact in their careers and communities.
