Pre-Show Discussion: Civics Education in Oregon: Connecting Students to their Constitution
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View Upcoming EventsInspired by the themes of What the Constitution Means to Me, join us for a pre-show presentation featuring leaders from Civics Learning Project, an organization that works to prepare students in Oregon to become active, engaged, and informed participants in our democracy.
Don't miss this opportunity as Executive Director Sam Kang and longtime educator Teresa Osborne delve into the profound impact civics education has on young Oregonians.
For more information about Civics Learning Project visit their website at civicslearning.org
@civicslearningproject
Young people need to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them for a life of informed, intentional participation in their communities. This is one of the foundations of public education. Shifting trends and priorities in education have put such opportunities at risk.
This is why Civics Learning Project brings vital and engaging civics education programs into Oregon schools, teaching students at all grade levels the values and skills essential to participating in our democracy. Each year, our innovative, timely, practical, and fun programs and professional development opportunities involve and inspire teachers and students across Oregon.
Civics Learning Project began in 1973 as the Tri-County Law Related Education Project, dedicated to ensuring that young people in Oregon knew how to participate in the state’s distinctive model of direct democracy and be active community members. By 1976, the Oregon State Bar had created an Ad Hoc Committee on Law Related Education that partnered in this work. In 1983, Civics Learning Project was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit, and founding Executive Director Marilyn Cover was hired.
Sam (he/his) became the Executive Director of the Civics Learning Project in 2023. He has served in a variety of leadership and executive roles in government, politics, tech, organized labor, and nonprofit organizations.
Prior to joining CLP, Sam was the political director of the largest independent labor union on the West Coast, general counsel of The Greenlining Institute, and led government affairs in Lime’s largest North American markets. He has led numerous successful policy and legislative campaigns on economic equity, environmental justice, transportation access, and consumer protection. He also has a decade of experience advising and working on local, congressional, and gubernatorial races.
As a lawyer, Sam has successfully litigated dozens of cases before regulatory agencies, saving billions of dollars for consumers. He has testified before Congress and regularly testified before state legislatures to defend the rights of underserved communities. Sam has been quoted in hundreds of media outlets across the country on issues ranging from energy to small business opportunities to media consolidation. Due to his community leadership, Sam was appointed to serve on various boards and commissions at the county, regional, and state levels.
Prior to law school, Sam was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in New York City and helped provide disaster relief after the 9/11 attacks. He also worked at the United Nations to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Middle East following the first Gulf War.
In his spare time, you might see Sam playing with his daughter at OMSI or in one of the myriad of beautiful parks in Portland. When he hasn’t been completely exhausted by his daughter, he loves running along the Willamette River and discovering new restaurants with his wife.
Teresa Squires Osborne has been an educator in Oregon since 1984, and has participated in CLP programs most of that time. She was a long-time social studies/Advanced Placement teacher at Reynolds High School, and also taught at Central Catholic High School, Concordia University, Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College. Teresa has been a coach for the Central Catholic We The People team since 2019. She was a Reese Teacher Fellow at George Washington’s Mount Vernon 2017-2018, and has been a workshop presenter at educator conferences. She currently works at Mt. Hood Community College as a Learning Specialist.
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