Civics Education in Action: Insights from We the People

Jury Duty in North Dakota and the U.S.

How many times have you opened the mail and got that letter from your clerk of court calling you for jury duty? What is it that makes people cringe when they get that letter? And do you really get a jury of your peers? On this podcast, we look at the experience of the host and his recent experience as a potential juror. Spoiler - it was pretty interesting to be a part of the jury process. North Dakota Courts Jury Duty Web Page: https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/Jurors-Handbook [https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/Jurors-Handbook] U.S. Courts Jury Duty Web Page: https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/jury-service [https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/jury-service]

The League of Women Voters of North Dakota

In this interview, Kathleen Tweeten, the President of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, shares the history, mission, and current initiatives of the League. Topics include voting rights, civics education, election integrity, and ways to get involved in promoting democracy. Learn about their new initiatives and outreach, including their new, free, Legislative Guide for voters and classrooms. League of Women Voters of North Dakota: https://www.lwvnd.org/ [https://www.lwvnd.org/] LWVND Civics Curriculum: https://www.lwvnd.org/curriculum [https://www.lwvnd.org/curriculum] Resources for Teachers and Students: https://www.lwvnd.org/students [https://www.lwvnd.org/students] How to Run for Office in North Dakota: https://www.lwvnd.org/how-to-run [https://www.lwvnd.org/how-to-run]

How North Dakota Boys State Shapes Future Leaders

On this podcast, Garrett Anderson, North Dakota Boys State Deputy Director of Recruitment visits and lets us know the history, mission, and purpose of North Dakota Boys State, as well as how North Dakota high school Juniors can apply to participate in the program. Discover how North Dakota Boys State educates young men about civics, leadership, and government through a hands-on, mock government experience. Learn about the program's history, application process, and the impact it has on participants' understanding of civic responsibilities. N.D. Boys State Website: https://sites.google.com/ndboysstate.org/northdakotaboysstate/home [https://sites.google.com/ndboysstate.org/northdakotaboysstate/home] N.D. Boys State Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ndboysstate/ [https://www.facebook.com/ndboysstate/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Boys State 00:50 History and Sponsorship by the American Legion 03:14 Eligibility and Application Process 06:07 Website and How to Apply 06:22 Qualities Sought in Participants 07:40 First Day and Week Overview 09:50 Day-to-Day Schedule and Activities 11:07 Leadership Roles and Elections 13:34 Fostering Leadership and Diversity 15:19 Encouraging Civil Discourse and Respect 17:05 Educational Value Beyond Classroom Learning 19:13 Post-Program Impact and Civic Engagement 20:06 Participation Numbers and Future Goals 21:21 Deadlines and Application Tips 22:43 Support Team and Recruitment Efforts 24:10 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

701 Civics Potpourri February 2026

This episode covers recent legislative and judicial developments in North Dakota, including special sessions, school funding initiatives, and judicial elections. It also provides some insights into state politics, legal processes, and upcoming changes in the judiciary. Key Topics * Special legislative sessions and their purpose * School funding initiatives and constitutional measures * North Dakota Supreme Court elections and judicial appointments * Legislative turnover and term limits * Legal challenges to constitutional amendments Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:56 Special Session Called to Address Federal Funding 02:01 Federal Funds and Rural Health Transformation Program 03:41 School Lunch Funding and Voter Initiatives 04:15 Constitutional Measures and Legislative Flexibility 05:14 Legislative Disagreements and Signature Gathering 06:07 Legislative Opportunities to Revisit Bills 06:43 Signature Collection and Ballot Measures 07:53 State Budget and Legacy Fund Usage 09:15 Judicial Elections and New Chief Justice 10:28 Role and Responsibilities of the Chief Justice 12:23 Court Case Processing and Case Load 13:37 North Dakota Supreme Court Caseload and Appeals 15:57 Upcoming Judicial Appointments and Resignations 20:35 Legislative Turnover and Retirement Trends 24:12 Term Limits and Legislative Experience 27:12 Legal Challenges to Constitutional Measures 29:04 Following Court Cases and Legal Proceedings 29:50 Summary and Final Thoughts Links: Current Supreme Court Justices: https://www.ndcourts.gov/supreme-court/justices [https://www.ndcourts.gov/supreme-court/justices] Legislative Council Newsletter: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/newsletter/newsletter012726.pdf [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/newsletter/newsletter012726.pdf]

Civics Education in Action: Insights from We the People

In this episode, Bryan interviews Jennifer Kallenbach, a dedicated social studies teacher and the state coordinator for the We the People program in North Dakota. Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in Wisconsin to teaching in North Dakota, emphasizing the importance of civics education in fostering informed and engaged citizens. The We the People program, initiated in the 1980s, aims to enhance students' understanding of democracy and civic participation through a structured curriculum that includes a textbook and a simulated congressional hearing competition. Jennifer highlights the program's focus on developing critical thinking, collaboration, and public speaking skills among students, which are essential for active participation in democracy. Jennifer elaborates on the various ways teachers can implement the We the People curriculum, whether as a supplement to existing classes or as a standalone program. She discusses the professional development opportunities available for teachers, including the We the People Summer Teacher Institute, which provides resources and training to enhance their teaching methods. The conversation also touches on the impact of the program on students, with examples of former participants who have gone on to pursue careers in law and public service. Overall, the episode underscores the significance of civics education in empowering the next generation to engage meaningfully in their communities and government. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to We the People and Jennifer Kallenbach 01:02 Overview of the We the People Program 02:17 Importance of Civics Education Today 03:18 Academic Skills Developed Through Participation 05:03 Implementation in Classrooms 06:07 Impact on Students and Engagement 08:27 Professional Development for Teachers 09:55 Funding and Support for the Program 11:25 Challenges for New Teachers 12:58 Focus on Primary Source Documents 13:59 State Competition Overview 17:48 Participation and Awards in State Competition 19:32 Resources and Accessibility of Textbooks 21:00 Community Involvement and Support 22:48 Future Opportunities for We the People 24:41 How to Get Involved and Contact Information https://www.thestudynd.org/civic-education [https://www.thestudynd.org/civic-education] We the People - Center for Civic Education: https://civiced.org/we-the-people [https://civiced.org/we-the-people]