Teachers Law School
ABOTA Montana is proud to once again sponsor a Montana Educator to the national ABOTA Teachers’ Law School, an intensive program designed to provide educators with a comprehensive crash course in civics. Led by seasoned lawyers, law professors, and members of the judiciary, this initiative is aimed at equipping teachers with the essential knowledge and resources needed to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the American judicial systems among their students.
Civics Education is of paramount importance as it plays a pivotal role in shaping responsible and informed citizens.
A message from 2026 attendee Beau Wright, Glacier High School, Kalispell..
To say the Abota Civics Summit was valuable experience would be an understatement. In my professional career, I have rarely been exposed to an opportunity that was so thoughtfully organized or so professionally rewarding.
For three days, I had the privilege of learning alongside some of the best civic teachers in the country. We exchanged ideas, explored new approaches to civic education, and began building relationships that I hope will lead to future collaboration. As meaningful as those conversations were, the speakers were equally impressive. The summit brought together an outstanding group of historians, attorneys, judges, and education leaders. Hearing from distinguished historian H. W. Brands, along with the host of NPR’s Civics 101 podcast, was especially memorable.
Many of our sessions focused on the importance of protecting and promoting the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial, as well as the urgent need to strengthen civics education in American secondary schools. I left Austin refreshed, recommitted, and energized to meet the challenges of teaching civics in today’s classrooms.
Please accept my sincere gratitude to the ABOTA, Montana ABOTA , and to you personally for making this experience possible. I look forward to bringing the ideas and insights I gained in Austin into my classroom this coming school year.
—Beau Wright
Civics Education knowledge empowers Teachers Law School participants to not only convey this critical information to their students but also to instill a sense of civic duty and engagement in their classrooms.
A message from 2024 attendee Luke Brandon, Lewistown Public Schools.
I found the civics summit to be very interesting and educational. I came away with lots of ideas about how to teach several civics standards. I think the biggest take away was how fragile our separation of powers are in this country, and the constant attacks on the independence of the judiciary. We discussed how this is happening at the federal level, and it really hit home with me due to our own legislature's attempts over the last several years to undermine the MT supreme court.
Additionally I was very impressed with the young people who spoke about activism, and how students can have a voice. It was very inspirational to hear how successful these young people had become, in spite of the trauma they endured in Parkland FL. I also had the pleasure of listening to Akhil Reed Amar, my favorite constitutional scholar, talk about the framing of the constitution and the motivations of the framers. He is a fascinating man and an eloquent speaker. He also signed his new book for me. It's great so far.
Finally, listening to the legislative aids who have worked so diligently on the Judges act. They explained very well the crisis facing our federal court system and how most federal courts are incredibly overburdened. They explained the legislative process in the context of trying to achieve a bipartisan solution to these problems, and why there is resistance to it.
All in all, it was definitely the best professional development opportunity that I have had in my 25 years of teaching.
I am grateful for the chance to do it, and really enjoyed myself.
Thanks again.
—Luke Brandon