The YMCA Center for Youth Voice is excited to continue the Minnesota Civic Seal program and is seeking 20 Minnesota high school teachers to pilot the program in their classrooms or schools during the 2026 - 2027 school year.
The Minnesota Civic Seal framework connects classroom learning with hands-on civic engagement. Students select an issue in their community they care about, conduct research, and choose activities across five categories to find a solution: Democratic Engagement, Civic Knowledge, Media Literacy, Community Service, and Bridge Building. It's a "choose-your-own-civic-adventure" approach that fits students' interests, schedules, and local opportunities.
Research in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence links meaningful civic engagement to stronger academic performance, well-being, and workplace-ready skills like communication and collaboration.
Twenty states, both red and blue, have adopted Civic Seal programs recognizing student civic engagement and leadership. Now Minnesota has one, too, and we're looking for teachers from across the state to help shape this high-impact program.
Selected teachers receive a $1,000 stipend and iCivics-led training. Applications close September 18, 2026.
Why consider this opportunity?
- Earn a $1,000 stipend
- Help shape a new statewide civic initiative
- Give students authentic civic experiences
- Join a statewide network of educators advancing civic readiness
- Receive professional learning from iCivics
Apply today or share this exciting opportunity with the educators in your life!