2026 PA Civics Educator Forum
Cultivating Curious Minds, Critical Thinkers, and Engaged Citizens
The 2026 PA Civics Educator Forum is coming to southwestern PA. Now in its third year, this forum has become the leading provider of professional development for educators, both in-class and out-of-school time providers. Join us on Monday, October 5th at Intermediate Unit 1 (address: 1 Intermediate Unit Dr #1, Coal Center, PA 15423). Register here.
Teachers can attend high-quality sessions featuring ready-to-use resources from the 27 different member organizations of PA Civics, plus unique, creative lessons taught by PA-based teachers. This year's theme: “Cultivating Curious Minds, Critical Thinkers, and Engaged Citizens.”
The forum’s session list will be available early in the fall. Previous forums have featured sessions on media literacy, productive civil dialogue, bringing the Constitution to life, and resources for elementary schools.
Sessions, organized and presented by PA Civics' nonpartisan members and southwestern PA community partners, will span ideology. Teachers will leave the forum with resources they can use in the classroom the very next day.
Register to save your place today. The forum is free to attend for educators, and lunch will be provided. Pennsylvania-based teachers are given priority for registration. All teachers will receive Act 48 credits.
If you have any questions, contact Justin Villere at jvillere@seventy.org.
All teachers will receive Act 48 credits.
A regional model for professional development
The inaugural PA Civics Educator Forum in Philadelphia in 2024 welcomed nearly 60 teachers. It was followed by a forum in western Pennsylvania in February 2025, sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. And in November 2025, we worked with over 80 teachers in Scranton in partnership with Intermediate Unit 19 and Marywood University. PA Civics will continue hosting forums across the Commonwealth, allowing teachers to network with other educators who can share best practices and ideas.
A focus on civics content for civics educators at all levels
Forum sessions feature PA Civics coalition partners with a wide range of expertise in civics education. Sessions focus on the three pillars of a quality civic education: knowledge, skills, and action. There are tracks for primary and secondary grade levels. We anticipate publishing the session list and descriptions in mid-August.
The forum will provide attendees with resources they can bring back to their schools to use immediately.
We invite you to join this effort by making a tax-deductible donation to support the PA Civics Educator Forum. Your support will cover location rental fees, promotion, scholarships for attendees, and material production.
Contact Justin Villere (jvillere@seventy.org) with any questions or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Checks can be made payable to PA Civics’ lead partner and fiscal sponsor, Committee of Seventy, and mailed to 123 South Broad Street, Suite 2830, Philadelphia, PA 19109.