PA Grant Report: Understanding Elections: Empowering Future Voters

Upper school teacher Stephanie Shore used a Parents Association grant to develop an election curriculum, to help students become more informed and more engaged voters—critical skills for students on the cusp of voting age.

I am grateful to the Parents Association for supporting the development of a comprehensive election curriculum for MMFS upper school students. With their help, we’ve created a program that equips young people with the tools to navigate complex political landscapes, engage in productive discourse, and become informed participants in our democracy.

The heart of this initiative lies in fostering respectful dialogue, media literacy, and a robust understanding of the electoral process. To ensure the curriculum met the needs of our students, I immersed myself in professional development workshops this summer, exploring innovative strategies to teach about elections, misinformation, and civics in a way that resonates with our learners.

This journey began with Facing History’s self-paced course, Teaching Current Events. The course challenged me to think critically about how to address contentious topics while maintaining an inclusive and empathetic classroom environment. I emerged with a wealth of resources and activities that focus on promoting understanding and reducing polarization.

Next, I delved into Developing Students’ Civic Imagination During Challenging Times. This workshop emphasized empowering students to envision their role in shaping the future and provided creative tools to engage them in discussions about voter rights, polling data, and the Electoral College.

We implemented the program last fall. The curriculum I developed builds on these experiences, offering interactive lessons tailored to our upper school flex period. Students explored the emotional dimensions of political engagement, practiced skills for navigating difficult conversations, and learned to analyze polling data and media critically. They also gained practical knowledge about the voting process, empowering them to take action as they reach voting age.

Thank you, once again, for the support of the Parent Association.