Chief Content and Learning Officer at the National Constitution Center (@ConstitutionCtr)

Bethesda, MD
Joined July 2012
Can Article V conventions advance constitutional reform? On #WeThePeoplePodcast, Lawrence @Lessig and @DavidASuper1 join @JMSilverbrook to discuss whether Article V conventions offer a viable path to constitutional change. Hear Super explain why he thinks Article V itself must first be amended, and listen now: conctr.org/4zKOQDB
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What would it take to build a Science of Civics? For The #CivicDecade, @JMSilverbrook calls for interdisciplinary research to identify what works in civic learning, measure lasting impact, and translate evidence into practice. conctr.org/4yA4DnJ
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This week on #WeThePeoplePodcast, historian David O. Stewart joins @JMSilverbrook to discuss his latest book, "The Democracy We Must Keep," which examines the foundational ideas in founding-era documents that shaped America. Hear Stewart discuss the "revolutionary documents" and listen now: conctr.org/4hMJvWe
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In her latest for #CivicDecade, @JMSilverbrook argues that self-government is inherently fragile because it rests in human hands. Its endurance requires both strong constitutional institutions and civic virtue. History shows that moments of fragility can summon extraordinary civic courage. conctr.org/4edLXCT
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How can families make voting and civic participation a habit that starts long before the first trip to the ballot box? This week on #CivicParenting, @JohnHolbein1 of @UVABatten and @JMSilverbrook share practical civic advice for families with children of all ages ahead of the midterm elections. 🎧 Listen: conctr.org/4yM9gMi
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A new project from @SNFAgora analyzes more than 1.7 million nonprofit organizations to identify where opportunities for participation exist. Its Dashboard makes that research accessible at the community level and gives us a much clearer picture of civic infrastructure across the country.  @JMSilverbrook explores how we can turn this insight in to strategy for civic renewal: civicdecade.org/p/the-geogra…
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Julie Silverbrook retweeted
Check out The Douglass Free Speech Corpus and my essays discussing the findings
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Julie Silverbrook retweeted
Frederick Douglass and Free Speech are my two favorite topics. The @ConstitutionCtr We The People podcast invited me to combine them and discuss Douglass' free speech philosophy.
How did Frederick Douglass connect freedom of speech to abolition, equal citizenship, and the practice of self-government? This week on #WeThePeoplePodcast, @JMchangama examines Douglass’s expansive understanding of free speech. Hear Mchangama explain the essential nature of this understanding and listen now: conctr.org/4hDxvVC
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How did Frederick Douglass connect freedom of speech to abolition, equal citizenship, and the practice of self-government? This week on #WeThePeoplePodcast, @JMchangama examines Douglass’s expansive understanding of free speech. Hear Mchangama explain the essential nature of this understanding and listen now: conctr.org/4hDxvVC
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The work of Alexis de Tocqueville is resonating with leaders in the civic space lately. Why? Our civic fabric is being pulled apart, and we are seeking a path toward civic renewal. For the #CivicDecade, @JMSilverbrook covers the relationship between the connections we hope to rebuild and the institutions that make those connections possible: conctr.org/4AGP67Y
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On the latest episode of #CivicParenting, @JMSilverbrook reflects on encouraging children's curiosity and allowing them to develop their own perspectives, even when they may differ from your own. 🎧 Listen now to Episode 9: sbrew.link/bsmL7PuJ
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On #CivicParenting, @JMSilverbrook and Kelly Siegel-Stechler of @harvard discuss the importance of modeling for your children a willingness to have your mind changed. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: sbrew.link/yAmDbmqq
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We welcomed WHYY's You Oughta Know to explore our latest exhibits and speak with Vince Stango, interim president and CEO at the Center. Watch now: whyy.org/episodes/we-the-peo…
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We were glad to hear CNN’s Elliot Williams is a fan of the @ConstitutionCtr’s 250th edition of Trivial Pursuit! He talked to @JMSilverbrook on Constitution Day about the game, the Constitution’s 239th anniversary, Civic Parenting, and the Civic Decade on SiriusXM’s The Julie Mason Show. Listen here: sxm-publish-clips.content-in…
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Last week, Congressman Brendan Boyle came to @ConstitutionCtr to announce plans for federal legislation establishing a national commission to begin preparing for the 250th anniversary of the Constitution in 2037. This week for the #CivicDecade, @JMSilverbrook writes about the unique opportunity our nation has to maintain the infrastructure we built for America’s 250th and continue to build upon it as we look ahead. Read now: civicdecade.org/p/americas-2…
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Hear @JMSilverbrook on Civics 701 podcast, where she discusses the importance of civic and constitutional education, nonpartisanship, and engaging communities in meaningful dialogue about the Constitution. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/7on… whyy.org/episodes/we-the-peo…
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What role do parents play in developing a child's civic identity? This week on #CivicParenting, Kelly Siegel-Stechler of @Harvard joins @JMSilverbrook to discuss how everyday family experiences help children recognize that their voices matter and that they have something meaningful to contribute to their communities. 🎧 Listen: sbrew.link/Jy0OeR37
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To mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, we invited visitors and staff to reflect: What do you remember about September 11? What stories, experiences, or objects have helped you—and those around you—remember? Sharing these memories helps ensure that as September 11 moves further into history, the human experiences and civic lessons of that day are not forgotten. Here are some of the responses you shared with us, recorded at the Civic Spark Studio inside the National Constitution Center. Watch now: youtube.com/watch?v=BNT5kPb3…
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Today, we celebrated the opening of Be a Civic Hero! This new playful learning installation, located on the Center’s front lawn, encourages younger learners to practice civic strengths like kindness, courage, curiosity, teamwork, communication, and problem solving and to discover how their choices can make a difference in their communities. We're proud to partner with Playful Learning Landscapes and Watchdog Project Management in the creation of this project, made possible with support from the William Penn Foundation. Stop by and explore! constitutioncenter.org/museu…
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What can Constitution Day learn from the 4th of July? July 4th has an established culture of celebration as a civic holiday. We know the rituals: fireworks, cookouts, parades, music, and family gatherings. We anticipate the day and return to it every year. Constitution Day, held annually on September 17 to mark the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787, has plenty of substance. Classrooms across the country engage with the Constitution, while lectures, debates, naturalization ceremonies, and community programs create opportunities to learn and participate. But too often, it can feel more like an academic observance than a civic holiday. For the #CivicDecade, @JMSilverbrook argues that we don't have to choose between celebration and substance when it comes to civic holidays. Constitution Day can have the birthday cake and the constitutional debate. The traditions that make us want to show up, and the ideas that make showing up matter. Read now: civicdecade.org/p/what-can-c…
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