Special Event
Meeting the Moment
Navigating Contentious Times by Fostering Civil Discourse in Your Classroom
Join educators from across the region as we explore contemporary challenges to free speech and civil discourse in the classroom and offer strategies for engaging students on complex issues and topics.
Event Details
Date and Time
Location
Wright State University Student Union3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH
Program
Breakfast and Registration
Welcome Remarks by Wright State University and Sphere Education Initiatives
Bridging Divides: The Constitution, Free Speech, and Rhetoric in an Era of Polarization
Refreshment Break
Sphere: General Session on Polarization and Foundations of Civil Discourse
Break and Transition to Workshops
Workshop Session 1: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Lunch
Workshop Session 2: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Break and Transition to Next Workshop
Workshop Session 3: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Transition Back to Main Space
Closing Remarks and Distribution of Certificates and Stipends
Sphere Education Initiatives and Wright State University’s Center for Civics, Culture, and Workforce Development are pleased to present a daylong interdisciplinary professional learning event, Foundations of Civic Culture: Overcoming Polarization and Navigating Rhetoric in Today’s Classrooms, in Dayton, Ohio, on November 13, 2026.
Join educators from across the region as we explore contemporary challenges to free speech and civil discourse in the classroom and offer strategies for engaging students on complex issues and topics. This hands‐on, application‐focused professional development event will include expert presentations and breakout sessions that provide knowledge, tools, and strategies to address pressing issues. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with speakers and colleagues from the region and beyond.
Programming will feature speakers along with pedagogical instruction on the fundamentals of civil discourse and key strategies for building a sustained practice. We’ll pair those experiences with immersive discussions and engaging breakout workshops designed to equip attendees with valuable tools, tips, and tricks for fostering and managing complex conversations. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect to America’s 250th anniversary with interdisciplinary content and resources. Educational leaders are also encouraged to attend to learn strategies and gain tools for facilitating school and district‐level change.
Benefits
Designed for middle and high school teachers and administrators, this event offers the following benefits:
- 6 hours of in‐person professional development
- Free classroom resources and books
- Breakfast and lunch
- $100 stipend and certificate of completion
Event registration requires a $20 fee, which will be fully refunded in addition to your stipend after completion of the event. Registration includes all meals, books, classroom materials, a stipend, and professional development hours.
Program
Breakfast and Registration
Welcome Remarks by Wright State University and Sphere Education Initiatives
Bridging Divides: The Constitution, Free Speech, and Rhetoric in an Era of Polarization
Refreshment Break
Sphere: General Session on Polarization and Foundations of Civil Discourse
Break and Transition to Workshops
Workshop Session 1: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Lunch
Workshop Session 2: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Break and Transition to Next Workshop
Workshop Session 3: Concurrent Sessions — To Be Announced
Transition Back to Main Space
Closing Remarks and Distribution of Certificates and Stipends