Lasting Impact
Since 1995, nearly 1,800 teachers have completed the Summer Institute. Collectively, participants reach more than 6,000 students each school year, inspiring the next generation to understand the Constitution’s continued relevance and the Court’s impact on everyday life.
What to Expect
Each Institute begins with a session on Supreme Court advocacy led by an experienced appellate litigator. Throughout the week, participants dive into core topics at the heart of the Court’s work, including judicial nominations, stare decisis, constitutional and statutory interpretation, and the certiorari process. These sessions are taught by leading legal experts, scholars, and practitioners who bring firsthand knowledge of how the Court operates.
In addition to exploring the substance of constitutional law, teachers gain practical strategies for the classroom. Participants work with case briefs and materials drawn from the Court’s most recent Term, learning how to use case study methods to encourage students to grapple with current and contested legal issues. The focus is on equipping educators with tools to foster civil, thoughtful discussion and to strengthen civic literacy in their schools.
One of the most memorable experiences of the Summer Institute is a full-scale moot court. Teachers step into the shoes of petitioners, respondents, and justices, crafting oral arguments and practicing judicial reasoning. They are coached by a team of legal mentors, including Society Trustees. This immersive exercise not only deepens teachers’ understanding of the Court’s process but also provides them with an interactive teaching method to take back to their students.
- Special Reception at the Supreme Court
The program concludes with a private reception at the Supreme Court of the United States, generously hosted by the Chief Justice. Teachers have the unique opportunity to gather in the building where history is made and hear directly from Judge Robert Dow, Counselor to the Chief Justice, who underscores the critical role educators play in shaping constitutional literacy.
Voices from the Institute
“The commitment of the teachers at the Summer Institute inspires me every year. They come from diverse schools with wide-ranging experiences, and their enthusiasm for learning new teaching strategies—like moot court—is remarkable. I appreciate the opportunity to return again and again to be part of this terrific program.”
— Beth Brinkmann, Society Trustee
“One of the most rewarding things about participating in the Summer Institute is how your influence multiplies. You may help empower one classroom of teachers, but they reach dozens more. It’s a privilege to be part of that mission—and it brings me back year after year.”
— Morgan Ratner, Society Trustee
Join Us
The Supreme Court Historical Society remains committed to empowering teachers to bring the Constitution and the Supreme Court to life in classrooms nationwide.
