Illinois Statewide Conference on Law-Related Education
Each year CRFC conducts a day-long law-related education conference attended by
elementary and secondary educators from across Illinois, as well as others who
are interested in civic education. Attendees study substantive matters such as
proposed Constitutional amendments and recent Supreme Court decisions, as well as
pressing educational issues such as authentic assessment and violence in schools.
Participants also explore innovations in teaching methods and curricula.
At the conference, CRFC presents the Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year Award to
support and recognize superlative contributions to law-related education. CRFC gives
the Teacher of the Year Award annually to recognize exemplary achievement in the
field of law-related education. Honoring the memory of the late
Barbara O'Donnell, coordinator of the Career Development Center
for Law and Justice at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago, the award
recognizes exceptional commitment, competence, concern, encouragement
of critical thinking, and leadership in teaching of law and social
studies.
For additional information, please contact Nisan Chavkin, Education Director, at
312/663-9057 or via email at chavkin@crfc.org
Below are profiles of the 1997 Teachers of the Year:
Jacqueline A. Brewer of Haugan Elementary School in Chicago possesses a "commitment
to helping children learn to become good citizens," said Haugan Principal Lucille Willgale.
Ms. Brewer, who has taught at Haugan for almost 25 years, has involved her fifth grade
students in mock trials at law firms, presented other teachers with methods
to teach students about mediation, and guided her students as they taught
fellow students how to mediate conflicts. Jenner and Block attorneys Kara Brockmeyer,
Christine Picker, and Eric Wilson, who have volunteered with Ms. Brewer’s
classroom for four years, write that "We are keenly impressed by her
ability to develop her students’ critical thinking skills at such an early
age. We talk about how fortunate the children in her classes are. And we
talk about how teachers like Ms. Brewer are why there is genuine hope for
public education." Ms. Brewer is the first elementary school teacher to
receive the award.
Walter Matune of Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove is recognized widely
by colleagues and students for his work in law-related education. "Students are asked
to analyze, in meaningful ways for them, the relationship of law issues to their
everyday life," John Correll, Director of Pupil Personnel Service for
Community High School District 99. "[Walt] promotes diverse opinions,
student discussion and analysis, and delves deeply into the meaning of
law." Over the past ten years, Mr. Matune has developed a Law in
American Society curriculum for Downers Grove North High School.
In 1995, he was one of the first teachers to begin including special
needs students in his class. According school counselor Dana L. Logan,
his approach has resulted in students pursuing careers in the law. One
such student is Keri O’Brien, who says that "With Mr. Matune’s
encouragement and wisdom, I am currently pursuing a degree in Criminal
Justice. Without the knowledge I gained from his class and from him,
I never would have headed in this direction."
Last updated: January 2, 2002
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