About the Conference

Achieving Independence – Summer 2026

When: June 10-11, 2026

Where: Boise State University, Micron Business and Economics Building

Cost: $50

About the Conference

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, we invite social studies teachers, administrators, academics, students, and advocates to come explore with us stories of the
human quest for independence–for individuals and communities of all kinds, in the past and today, here and around the world. The conference will offer content-rich, teaching-centric sessions filled with cutting-edge
approaches to learning around our theme. The conference aims to place American Independence—often credited with inspiring independence movements around the world—into its larger context, historically, politically, geographically, and intellectually.

Teachers will choose from an array of topics related to the history and concepts of revolutions across time and around the globe, focusing on those that best meet their individual needs and interests. In addition to rich content to inspire the learner inside every effective teacher, sessions may also model or demonstrate effective pedagogies. Ultimately, the conference seeks to build networks among educators and to rekindle academic connections across Idaho, promoting a strong, vibrant community of teachers who support Idaho’s future generations.

Conference Schedule

Day 1

Conference at a Glance Wednesday, June 10

Time	Title	Presenter	Room
8:30-9:15	Breakfast and Registration – Jackson Commons	—	—
9:15-9:30	Plenary Session – Welcome	SCHE Members	1301
9:30-10:25	Beyond the Founding Fathers: Women, Independence, and the American Revolution Using WAMS Resources	Jaimee Martin	1208
9:30-10:25	Independence Movements in Asia: India, Vietnam, and Korea	Lisa Brady	1209
9:30-10:25	Achieving Independence Through Local Government	Brent Schindler	1210
9:30-10:25	When Evidence Is Silent: Teaching Historical Independence Through Material Culture	Heather Davis	1106
9:30-10:25	A Conversation with Sam Martin: The CivicLens Program for Elementary Students and Teachers	Sam Martin	1110
9:30-10:25	Hexagonal Thinking: Seeds of Rebellion	Chris Caban	1107
10:25-10:35	Break – Jackson Commons	—	—
10:35-11:30	Revolutions: The Fight for Independence and Student Autonomy	Anna Resnick	1106
10:35-11:30	How do Historical Voices Shape Today?	Maria Buonarati	1107
10:35-11:30	Achieving Independence Beyond the Textbook: A Triorama-Based Inquiry Project	Patty McManigal	1110
10:35-11:30	Paul Revere’s Historic Midnight Ride: A Journey Through Time and Landmarks	Kim Lewis	1208
10:35-11:30	From Independent Thinking to Collaborative Conversation	Serena Morales	1209
11:30-12:30	Lunch – Jackson Commons	—	—
12:35-1:45	Keynote Address : 1776, Why Independence?	Robert J. Allison	1301
1:45-1:55	Break – Jackson Commons	—	—
1:55-2:50	Using Essential Questions to Teach Hard Topics & Present Multiple Perspectives	Leona Calkins	1209
1:55-2:50	Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Denied: Memory and Salience of Japanese and Japanese American Internment	Chadwick Pearsall	1210
1:55-2:50	Bringing the Declaration to Life: America 250 Resources for 5-12 Educators	Don Jenkins	1106
1:55-2:50	Lessons from the Public Sphere: Difficult Conversations Across Difference	Rachel Miller	1107
1:55-2:50	Perspectives on Independence in Sabah: 1963 and 2026	Paul Bonnell	1110
1:55-2:50	Concurrent Enrollment: Professional Development for History and Government Teachers	Shaun Nichols and Stewart Gardner	1208
2:50-3:00	Break – Jackson Commons	—	—
3:00-4:00	Reception in the Jackson Commons: Remarks by Dignitaries, Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar	—	—

Day 2

Conference at a Glance Thursday, June 11

Time	Title	Presenter	Room
8:30-9:20	Breakfast and Registration – Jackson Commons	—	—
9:20-10:20	Plenary Session – “. . . a Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind”	Stewart Gardner	1301
9:20-10:20	From Emancipation to Independence: Engaging Students in Reconstruction and Its Legacies	Annabele Dickard	1106
9:20-10:20	A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Early American Democracy	Dori Gerber	1107
9:20-10:20	250 Years of Tweens	Jessie Hill Gillooly	1110
9:20-10:20	From Scaffolds to Autonomy: Using AI and Science of Reading Practices to Strengthen Civic Learning	Jocelyn Foreman-Teran	1209
9:20-10:20	Aloha ‘Oe: The Loss of Hawaiian Independence	Erik Hadley	1208
11:15-11:20	Break – Jackson Commons	—	—
11:20-12:10	From Struggle to Success: Scaffolding Case Method for Every Learner	Olivia Whitsel	1210
11:20-12:10	Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and the Contested Meaning of Independence	Shaun Nichols	1208
11:20-12:10	Idaho and America 250	Hanna Lore Hein	1106
11:20-12:10	Coming of Age: The Pursuit of Teenage Independence	Megan Felten	1107
11:20-12:10	Youth-Driven Violence Prevention: YES Demonstration Project	Royce Hutson	1209
11:20-12:10	Stop Memorizing the Constitution — Start Defending It: Using Mock Congressional Hearings to Build Civic Independence	Amanda Stewart	1110
12:10-1:05	Lunch – Jackson Commons	—	—
1:05-2:05	Plenary Session – The Declaration’s Journey: Global Perspectives	Kaitlyn Grundy	1301
2:05-2:10	Break – Jackson Commons	—	—
2:10-3:05	Teaching History Through Inquiry: Bringing National History Day into the Classroom	Madison Boynton	1208
2:10-3:05	Don’t Just “Remember the Ladies”: A Deeper Look at Women in Washington’s World	Kelly Richmond	1209
2:10-3:05	Bringing the Declaration to Life: America 250 Resources for 5-12 Educators	Stacie Christensen	1210
2:10-3:05	Achieving Independence: a 21st Century Blueprint – Returning to the “Source Code” of our Republic	Josh Nielson	1106
2:10-3:05	Small Books, Big Ideas: Teaching American Independence with Picture Books	Stephanie Lewis	1107
3:05-3:30	Plenary Session: Closing, Questions, and Evaluations	Attendees and SCHE Members	1301

Keynote Speakers

This year we are honored to have two outstanding keynote speakers.
The inaugural keynote address, given by Professor Robert J. Allison, will be “1776: Why Independence?” What challenges and opportunities did American colonists see in altering their struggle from striving to preserve their charter rights to declaring themselves to be a separate sovereign nation? Dr. Allison teaches History at Suffolk University in Boston, and also teaches in the Harvard Extension School.

Our second keynote address, given by Dr. Stewart Gardner, is entitled: “A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind” This talk with explore the Declaration of Independence as a guide and inspiration for civil dialogue and civic education. Dr. Gardner teaches Political Science and the History of Political Philosophy in Boise State’s School of Public Service

Breakout Sessions

Presenters will include Boise State faculty, award-winning master teachers in history, government, and other disciplines, as well as local and regional scholars with expertise on a wide variety of topics around the theme of revolutions.

Visitors to Boise

Visitors to Boise may enjoy the nearby Wassmuth Center for Human Rights: Home of the Anne Frank Memorial, the Capitol Building, Idaho State Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, Preservation Idaho’s Walking Tours of historic sites and much more!

Professional Development Credit

Participants will also be able to register for professional development credit through Boise State University for an additional fee. Registration is simple, and support is available through the university’s Extended Studies Customer Service team. For more information about credit options, contact Extended Studies at (208) 426-1709 or email ExtendedStudies@boisestate.edu.