As Connecticut's CivxNow State Affiliate, The Connecticut Democracy Center is tasked with raising awareness of Civic Learning Week and encouraging participation in our state. To celebrate, we and our partners are offered a variety of in-person and virtual civic learning opportunities for all audiences from March 10-14, 2025.
Learn more about our programming, watch recordings of our virtual events, and explore free civics resources below. For information about national Civic Learning Week, visit civiclearningweek.org.
Governor Ned Lamont officially proclaimed March 10-14, 2025 as Civic Learning Week in the State of Connecticut!
Click to see the Governor’s proclamation.
In recognition of Civic Learning Week, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas issued an official citation honoring “All the people and groups in Connecticut who help elevate civic education, especially during Civic Learning Week.”
Click to see the Secretary’s citation.
Submitting a RWB Schools Application: A Step-by-Step Overview
📍 – Webinar – Click to watch on YouTube
Does your school or district go above and beyond in civic education? You can apply to be a 2024-2025 Red, White & Blue School! In this session, RWB Schools Coordinator Jennifer Vienneau provided an overview of this year’s program theme, Rubric, website, resources and application.
Connecticut Democracy Center Awards
📍 Click to watch on YouTube
The Connecticut Democracy Center hosted the 2nd Annual Connecticut Democracy Center Awards at Connecticut’s Old State House on Thursday, March 13. Watch our tribute to community, business, and philanthropic leaders committed to strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement.
Civic Learning Week National Forum: Civic Learning: Many Voices, One Nation
📍 Watch on YouTube
Re-watch the Civic Learning Week National Forum at Stanford University. Speakers and attendees explored the importance of civic education and the leadership needed to make high-quality civics a nationwide priority. Featured speakers included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Utah Governor Spencer Cox; “America’s Government Teacher” Sharon McMahon; and more.
Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Standards
Connecticut adopted its first K-12 social studies standards in October 2023. Developed by teachers with public input and state legislative direction, these standards provide guidance for social studies instruction.
Connecticut Model Curriculum for Social Studies
The Connecticut Model Curriculum for Social Studies is available through GoOpen and provides curriculum leaders and teachers with ideas for curriculum design aligned to Connecticut’s K-12 Standards.
Red, White & Blue Schools
The Red, White & Blue Schools program recognizes K-12 public and private schools that are going above and beyond in their delivery of civic education. By participating in this program, schools are promoting being active and engaged members of their communities. Red, White & Blue Schools is a partnership program between the Connecticut Secretary of the State, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut’s Old State House. Learn how your school can apply to be a Red, White & Blue School!
Social Studies and Civics Resources
The State Department of Education has compiled resources for teaching civics, history, and other social studies disciplines.
Connecticut Council for the Social Studies
The Connecticut Council for the Social Studies advocates and builds capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, services, and support to educators.
Civic Engagement Initiatives and Resources (all ages)
The Office of the Secretary of the State offers free civic engagement and education resources for students and adults of all ages.
Social Studies and Civics Resources (all grades)
The State Department of Education has compiled resources for teaching civics, history, and other social studies disciplines.
Connecticut Network (CT-N) (all ages)
CT-N is Connecticut’s source for complete and balanced television and webcast coverage of state government and public policy. Your students can see their state government in action by watching live and recorded legislative sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, press briefings, Supreme Court oral arguments, and more.
Videos about state government (all ages)
The Connecticut Democracy Center and its Connecticut’s Kid Governor® program offer free videos from state officials explaining their roles within state government.
The Power of Civics
The Power of Civics from Connecticut’s Office of the Secretary of the State provides information on how people can be informed and involved in their communities.
Teach It CT (grades K-12)
A project of CT Humanities, Teach It helps Connecticut teachers bring Connecticut history into the classroom through inquiry-based activities. The following civics resources were created by the Connecticut Democracy Center in partnership with Connecticut teachers:
Empowering Students’ “Civic Voices” in Local and State Government (Elementary)
Empowering Students’ “Civic Voices” in Local and State Government (Middle/High)
Government is People: Creating a Symposium of Local Government Speakers (Elementary)
Government is People: Creating a Symposium of Local Government Speakers (Middle/High)
Capitol Information & Tours/League of Women Voters Resources (grades 3-12)
Explore free activities and classroom tools about how a bill becomes a law, contacting state legislators, the three branches of state government, voting rights, and more.
Civic Literacy Resources (all ages)
The State Library’s Division of Library Development supports Civic/Social Literacy so that Connecticut citizens will have the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives, participate and contribute effectively in their communities, and connect with one another through dialogue.
iCivics (all grades)
iCivics was founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009 to ensure that all Americans have the knowledge and will to participate in our unique experiment in self-government. Since then, iCivics has become the nation’s premier non-profit civic education provider of high-quality, non-partisan, engaging, and free resources to more than 9 million students annually, in all 50 states. iCivics’ first-of-its-kind digital civic library includes more than 260 curricular resources, digital literacy tools, professional learning materials, and educational video games.
Local Civic Health: A Guide to Building Community and Bridging Divides
This document, produced by New Hampshire Listens and designed by Laurel Lloyd at the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, is intended to help you create a plan of action for collecting civic health information, and can be a guiding charter to refer back to. Some of the categories below require deeper conversation, and when they do we have marked this with some tools to help you have those conversations.
Braver Angels
Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide.
What Is a Community? – Lesson for Kids
“Communities can be as small as a single family or as big as everyone on the planet. Discover how they are made up of people with things in common, as well as differences, who work together.”
Civicly
Civicly (for iPhones/iPads) was created by a Civics teacher and provides free, engaging, high-quality civic education. The Blog is available on any platform.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers provides K-12 inquiry-based lessons on a variety of social studies topics, with many inquiries based on civics.
Generation Citizen
Generation Citizen strives to empower middle and high school students through project-based civics. They provide resources and toolkits to be used throughout the year and for Civics Day.
Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves provides resources that provide opportunities where students explore, learn, and participate and, ultimately, develop informed civic responsibility.
The Civics Collection
The Civics Collection on PBS LearningMedia is designed to help teach middle and high school students about American citizenship, our constitutional democracy, and the complexities of our government and empower them as young citizens with a robust set of media-rich educational resources.
The National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center has a multitude of resources, including an interactive Constitution to learn about the text, history, and meaning of the U.S. Constitution.
Civics Renewal Network
The Civics Renewal Network is an alliance of 37 nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that provide free online classroom resources for civics education.
From the Classroom to the Capital City: Place-Based Civic Learning in Hartford
Watch this March 2024 panel discussion to learn about the unique place-based experiences for students and the public at Connecticut’s Old State House, the State Capitol, the Supreme Court, the State Library, and the Museum of Connecticut History.
School Programs at Connecticut’s Old State House (grades K-12)
Located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as one of Connecticut’s state capitols from 1796 to 1878 and Hartford City Hall from 1878-1915. Beautifully restored and preserved, this museum and civic space was declared one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1960. Immerse your students in civics and history with a school program at Connecticut’s Old State House! To book a school program, OSHschools@cga.ct.gov.
We offer three admission and bus discount programs for Connecticut students through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education supporting the Civics Education for Connecticut Students collaboration between five museums, and from the Scripps Family Fund.
Tours of the State Capitol (all ages)
Visit the Connecticut State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark and one of the most beautiful capitols in the country. Capitol Information and Tours offers free one-hour tours for children in grades four and above. This is the perfect enrichment activity in conjunction with studies of government, architecture, and history. To book a tour, email Capitol.Tours@cga.ct.gov.
Visit the Museum of Connecticut History at the State Library (all ages)
At the Museum of Connecticut History, you’ll find exhibits that trace the growth of the State and its role in the development of the nation. The Museum focuses on Connecticut’s government, industrial and military history and includes Connecticut’s original charter, the Fundamental Orders, the State Constitution, and portraits of each governor. A museum staff member, if available, will greet your group in the museum and provide a brief orientation for your group.
Tour the Connecticut Supreme Court (all ages)
The External Affairs Division of the Connecticut Judicial Branch provides tours of the Supreme Court courtroom from Monday through Friday during regular business hours. To request a tour, email external.affairs@jud.ct.gov.
Civics Education for Connecticut Students project (grades K-5)
Five different institutions are proud to offer free and discounted programs for K-5 students that introduce civics, community, and government to young learners through engaging and accessible experiences. As sites and keepers of history, these museums draw on our collective past to engage students with the past, present, and future. Our educators will help your students get excited about the potential and possibilities of civic life in the museum and in the classroom. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Participating museums: Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut’s Old State House (Hartford), Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (Hartford), Fairfield Museum and History Center (Fairfield), Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic), The Mark Twain House & Museum (Hartford).
To learn about field trip opportunities at these museums, read the Civics Education for Connecticut Students booklet.
Court Aide Program (grades 9-12)
High schoolers can: learn about the Judicial Branch and the services it provides; complete school-mandated requirements for graduation; contribute to the community; gain valuable experience and references; further explore career interests and vocational skills.
Job Shadow Program (grades 9-12)
The Job Shadow Program is designed to provide an opportunity for high school students to explore career interests and vocational skills by “shadowing” a Judicial Branch employee during a workday. Students are matched with a mentor at a location as near as possible to their school.
Connecticut’s Kid Governor® (grade 5)
The Connecticut Democracy Center’s award-winning civics program for 5th graders, Kid Governor® offers free civics lesson plans, videos, a traveling exhibit, and other resources for learning about state government, elections, and civic participation. Many resources can be adapted for other grades! Email info@CT.KidGovernor.org for access to additional resources including Bitmoji classrooms.
We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution (grades 6-12)
We The People promotes civic knowledge and engagement among upper elementary and secondary students. Utilizing innovative materials developed by the Center for Civic Education, an entire class works in cooperative teams to prepare and present statements on six units before a panel of judges acting as a congressional committee at a state-level competition. The Connecticut Democracy Center is the state affiliate of the We The People program.
Connecticut Democracy Center Debate Tournament (grades 6-12)
Debate Tournament hosts competitive interscholastic team policy debate tournaments for middle and high school students focused on a Connecticut topic. Participants use their research to develop both negative and affirmative arguments, learn to cross-examine their opposition, and listen attentively in order to rebut their opponent’s arguments. Participation improves public speaking skills, ability to analyze issues and resources, and expertise in using evidence to support arguments.
CT History Day (grades 6-12)
An affiliate program of National History Day, CT History engages thousands of middle- and high-school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project-based learning. Access free student and educator resources!
Civics Academy (grades 4-6)
The Civics Academy is a group of judges and attorneys who have been specially trained to deliver civics education to elementary-aged students. The Academy visits elementary school classes from grades 4 to 6 to present a 50-minute lesson plan that has been developed to help young students understand their role in our society.
Judicial Branch Speakers Bureau (all ages)
The Speakers Bureau maintains a panel of Judges and other court officials interested in speaking to community audiences on a wide range of court-related topics.
The World Affairs Council of Connecticut: Model United Nations (grades 9-12)
Our world is increasingly globalized. Through the Model UN, direct access to the world’s leaders and experts, and leadership development, we are equipping over 1200 Connecticut students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive. The World Affairs Council of Connecticut (CTWAC) Model United Nations (MUN) engages high school students in international affairs and develops students’ critical thinking, leadership, confidence and problem-solving skills, leading to success in their future school and careers. Through participating in Model UN, students emerge as leaders, having been exposed to critical global issues and international perspectives and incorporating their own creative and innovative ways of looking at the world. They develop skills in communication, problem-solving, and leadership, while learning to cooperatively discuss and resolve broad issues.
Civic Life Project
The Civic Life Project teaches digital storytelling and documentary filmmaking as a tool for civic education, helping students creatively examine how laws, policies, and systems impact their daily lives.
Generation Citizen (grades 8-12)
Through hands-on civic education, legislative advocacy and coalition building, and youth leadership development, Generation Citizen teaches young people how to have a voice and become active citizens in their communities.
Democracy in Action
A collaboration between the National Council for the Social Studies and Civic Life Project, Democracy in Action empowers students to create short documentaries on issues they care about, showcase their films to their communities, and ignite dialogue and civic action!
iCivics (all grades)
iCivics was founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009 to ensure that all Americans have the knowledge and will to participate in our unique experiment in self-government. Since then, iCivics has become the nation’s premier non-profit civic education provider of high-quality, non-partisan, engaging, and free resources to more than 9 million students annually, in all 50 states. iCivics’ first-of-its-kind digital civic library includes more than 260 curricular resources, digital literacy tools, professional learning materials, and educational video games.
Civics Book Kits
Schools can check out a Kid Governor® Civics Book Kit from the Connecticut State Library to supplement instruction. Each kit comes with a selection of books that relate to the theme, as well as a discussion guide with questions specific to select titles and general discussion questions for the topic. Books in these kits are appropriate for elementary school-aged children.
Kid Governor® Library (grade 5)
The Kid Governor® Library is a curated list of civics books that enable you to link reading and civics. The books are organized into three topic areas: Government, Elections & Voting – Leadership – Civic Engagement. We also have a bonus section with books by and about Kid Governors. The books have been recommended by Kid Governor® staff and participating teachers.
Civics for Kids (all grades)
The Children’s Trust offers tools – including recommended books – for parents, teachers and caregivers to help children gain the civic knowledge to become effective advocates.
Educate, Empower, Engage: A Conversation on the Lasting Impact of Civic Education
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker, and Connecticut’s first-ever Kid Governor Elena Tipton (2016) explore civic education and engagement in Connecticut and share their own civic journeys.
Connecting with Connecticut’s Leaders – the Three Branches of State Government
State Treasurer Erick Russell, State Representative Hilda Santiago, and Judge Dennis Eveleigh answer student questions about their jobs and how Connecticut’s three branches of state government work together.
Great Citizenship: Building a Better Connecticut)
A Town Hall Meeting at Connecticut’s Old State House featuring nationally-renowned speaker and author Eric Liu. ‘Great Citizenship’ reviews the insights of state residents’ social behavior toward their neighbors, communities, and government, which were revealed in Connecticut’s Civic Health Index Report.
Citizen Nation: Civic Skills
Citizen Nation is a collection of video clips from the PBS that empowers secondary students to participate confidently in civic life.
March 10: Connecticut’s First Congresswoman Did Just About Everything!
“Connecticut’s first congresswoman, Clare Boothe Luce, was one of the most professionally-accomplished women of her time…”
March 11: Beatrice Fox Auerbach, Innovative Businesswoman and Philanthropist
“When Beatrice Fox Auerbach became president of Hartford’s G. Fox & Company in 1938, in an era where there were scarcely any female retail executives to be found in the United States, neither she nor any of the popular department store’s board members expected her to remain in the position for very long…”
March 13: A City, State, & Country Divided: The New Haven Black Panther Trials
“Today in 1970, the stage was set for one of the most polarizing trials of the modern Civil Rights era. Bobby Seale, national chairman of the militant black power organization Black Panthers, arrived in Connecticut to stand trial for allegedly ordering the murder of a New Haven man killed 10 months earlier…”
Phyllis Zlotnick, Disability Rights Activist
“July 1990 marked the passing of a landmark piece of federal legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, known as the ADA. To recognize this event and to celebrate Disability Pride Month, we are uncovering the legacy of disability rights leader, Phyllis Zlotnick.”
Miss Crandall’s School for Black Women
“After a campaign initiated by schoolchildren, Prudence Crandall was designated the Connecticut State Heroine by the Connecticut General Assembly on Oct. 1, 1995. You may not know Connecticut has a state heroine or you might have some inkling that Crandall was maybe a spinster Quaker schoolmarm who had an unsuccessful school in the hinterlands of eastern Connecticut. Founded in 1833, the Crandall Academy educated more than two dozen Black women during its eighteen-month existence. In this episode we’ll hear how a trio of like-minded women helped to get the academy off the ground and the tremendous impact the school had in its short existence. Many of the Black women who attended the Canterbury Female Academy went on to be teachers, activists, and leaders in the Black community.”
How Connecticut Got Zoning
“In this episode, Dr. Jack Dougherty, Professor and Director of the Educational Studies Program at Trinity College, is going to uncover the story of how Connecticut passed legislation that allowed zoning in the 1920’s and how West Hartford became the first town to adopt zoning regulations.”
Radical Connecticut: Labor Strikes!
“Author Steve Thornton asks “Who really makes history”? In his new book, Radical Connecticut: People’s History in the Constitution State, co-authored by Andy Piascik, guest Steve Thornton tells the stories of everyday people and well-known figures whose work has often been obscured, denigrated, or dismissed. There are narratives of movements, strikes, popular organizations and people in Connecticut who changed the state and the country for the better.”
Sally Whipple and Supporting Social Studies Excellence
“Sally Whipple, Executive Director of the Connecticut Democracy Center details how museums and community organizations can support teachers and students engage civically and take informed action.”
Yasmeen Galal and Snigtha Mohanraj: Student Perspectives on the Intersections of Civics and Sciences
“Snigtha Mohanraj is a rising senior and volunteers with local climate groups, conducts independent research regarding water contaminant removal and works on addressing educational disparities in New Haven. She enjoys the intersection of civics with other fields such as environmental science. Yasmeen Galal, who graduated high school in May of 2024, took on various advocacy roles, including serving as the president of Connecticut Student Council and as a student representative on Connecticut’s Board of Education. She’s interested in the intersection between technology and policy, to ensure that society can advance technology while keeping humanity at the forefront.”
Kathy Swan and Facing the Past, Present, and Future with Inquiry
“Kathy Swan, project director and lead writer of the C3 Framework, joins us to promote the power of inquiry in social studies education. Dr. Swan explains how inquiry aids students by skillfully navigating historical concepts and adeptly facilitating civic engagement by questioning the world around them.”
Daisha Brabham, Community, and Uplifting Student Voices
“Daisha Brabham, educator, public historian, and curriculum writer, enlightens us about engaging students and teachers in the conversation of race, community-building, and student-centered learning. Daisha’s message includes the hope for teachers to focus more on what students can bring to the table and how they can guide students to use their strengths for local activism and civic engagement.”
Jennifer Vienneau and Intentional Inquiry
“Jennifer Vienneau, Project Associate for the Connecticut social studies standards project and Director of Social Studies K-12 at Hamden Public Schools, offers her perspective on developing the requisite skills students need for civic life.”
Connecticut: A Guide to State Government
This guide presents an overview of Connecticut state government for students, teachers, and other interested citizens. The guide:
How Connecticut’s State Government Works
Leaders from Connecticut’s three branches of state government speak about their positions and responsibilities and how our government works. These videos were recorded specifically for students!
Governor
Ned Lamont
Lieutenant Governor
Susan Bysiewicz
Secretary of the State
Stephanie Thomas
State Treasurer
Erick Russell
State Comptroller
Sean Scanlon
Attorney General
William Tong
Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice
Richard A. Robinson
State Senator
Heather Somers
Connect with Connecticut’s Leaders
Educational Program
How to Use the Connecticut General Assembly Website
Are you looking to get your students interested in Connecticut’s proposed legislation? The Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) website is a great place for students to learn about and track bills being proposed in the Connecticut House of Representatives and Senate. This resource also explores how to create a Bill Tracker account and get updates on bills of interest. Click here for a video, which is also in the slide show, that demonstrates how to use the CGA website.
How a Bill Becomes a Law in Connecticut
Choose from two handouts that will teach your students about the lawmaking process in Connecticut from start to finish.
Legislative Terms Word Scramble
Unscramble the jumbled up legislative terms in this word scramble puzzle.
Lesson Plan: Civics and Connecticut’s Constitution of 1818
In this lesson, students compare The Declaration of Independence (1776), Connecticut’s Constitution of 1818, and The Declaration of Sentiments (1848) to explore the establishment and role of governments, citizen and human rights, and political power.
Annotated copy of Connecticut’s Constitution of 1818
A poster-sized, annotated copy of Connecticut’s first Constitution ratified in 1818.
Contacting Your Legislator
Encourage your students to get involved in government by contacting their legislator.
Writing to Your Elected Officials
This resource guides students in identifying their elected officials and writing letters concerning issues important to them.
Resources about Connecticut Elections, Mock Elections, and Voting
These resources can help you teach elections and voting in your classroom! Unless noted, Red, White & Blue Schools and its partners are not affiliated with these resources and schools/teachers should vet them for appropriateness before implementing them in their classrooms.
Virtual Museum Tour
This Museum of Connecticut History’s virtual tour enables you to explore the museum’s collections and exhibits. Don’t miss the state’s founding documents and portraits of past governors lining the walls of Memorial Hall!
Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities
Conversation is the key to building empathy and understanding. It’s one of the most important tools in a teacher’s toolbox when it comes to helping students understand difficult subjects. It can also be one of the trickiest tools for educators to use. Joe Schmidt is a leader in social studies education. In his latest book, “Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities,” he and co-author Nichelle Pinkney share their expertise and guidance to help educators facilitate difficult conversations in the classroom with courage and empathy.
Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk, a guide from Learning for Justice, offers classroom-ready strategies teachers can use to plan discussions and to facilitate these conversations with students.
Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue Toolkit
The National Constitution Center’s Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue Toolkit provides educators with suggestions on preparing students to engage in multi-sided conversations.
Fostering Civil Discourse
Facing History & Ourselves’ Fostering Civil Discourse guide is designed to help teachers hold meaningful and productive conversations with their students about public policies, controversial issues, and current events.
Civil Discourse Toolkit
The Center for Civic Education’s Civil Discourse Toolkit is designed for adult learners but can be adapted for use in the secondary classroom.
Elections & Voting resources (adults)
The Office of the Secretary of the State offers elections and voting resources for adults.
Let’s Register to Vote!
This guide answers common questions about voting and explains how to register to vote.
Parents’ Role in Citizenship
Can a parent really make a difference in the community? A town hall-style meeting at the Old State House will explore why the answer is a resounding “yes” and how parents–and any concerned person–can get involved. Graduates of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), a civics-training program of the Commission on Children, will tell how they learned the skills needed to be leaders on local school boards, town councils, philanthropic boards and even the state legislature.
Ben’s Guide to the US Government
Ben’s Guide to the US Government, a program of the Government Publishing Office, has fun learning activities for all ages.
60-Second Civics
The Center for Civic Education’s 60-Second Civics daily podcast provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation’s government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation’s history and government.
Compact Civics
PBS’ Compact Civics is a 20-part series of non-partisan shorts that help citizens gain a better understanding of how government works. Host Cory McCants explains broad civics concepts in a fun and entertaining way.
The Connecticut Democracy Center is
the proud State Affiliate of
Matthew LaCoille brings almost ten years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community impact, and fundraising to the Connecticut Democracy Center. As Director of Development, Matthew is focused on cultivating and maintaining partnerships with businesses, foundations and individuals who wish to support our mission to provide people of all ages a lifetime pathway to civic engagement.
Matthew came to The Connecticut Democracy Center from Look Memorial Park in Florence, Massachusetts where he successfully collaborated with the Board Trustees and Development Committee to drive revenue increases in corporate and individual giving. While at Look Park, LaCoille successfully implemented several new programs, including their Community Partners and Low-Income Pass programs, while bringing back many of their popular events post-COVID, including their Summer Celebration Auction and Santa’s Trains. Matthew is credited with the complete rebranding of the park, including its marketing plan and strong integration into the Western Massachusetts community.
Previously to Look Park, Dr. LaCoille worked successfully in academic fundraising for five years, with stops at several educational institutions. He began his career working for baseball legends Bill and Cal Ripken Jr. at Ripkin Baseball.
Matthew currently serves on several boards and committees in the community, including as an Adjunct faculty member and on the Grants and Skookum Awards Committee at Western New England University, his undergraduate alma mater. After completing his business degree at Western New England, Matthew earned his master’s degree from the University of Florida while working full-time at Ripken Baseball.
Matthew continued to earn his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in 2023, with significant focuses on nonprofit management, leadership theory, and the change process related to organizational decision-making. He successfully defended his dissertation “Examining the Institutional Enrollment and Philanthropic Effects of Adding Athletic Programs at NCAA Division III New England Colleges & Universities,” published and utilized in several academic research areas.
Brian joined The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) team in 2014 as Head of Education at Connecticut’s Old State House. In this role, he manages the museum’s K-12 school programs and works with a team of educators to create authentic, educational, and participatory experiences that awaken civic engagement and awareness
In 2015, Cofrancesco created Kid Governor®, a statewide civics program for 5th graders which unites CTDC’s mission of teaching civics and history with his personal values of civic participation and engagement. His vision, design and strategic development of the program have resulted in Kid Governor®’s recognition nationally by the National Association of Secretaries of State and the American Association for State and Local History, and the launch of affiliate programs in Oregon and New Hampshire. He currently leads the Connecticut and national Kid Governor® programs.
Prior to CTDC, Cofrancesco worked at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and the University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum of Art. He is active in the museum and heritage communities and has served on the Planning Committee for the Connecticut Museum Educator Roundtable, the board of the Meriden Historical Society, and coordinates a Hartford-based museum networking group. He has served on boards and committees for the Connecticut League of History Organizations, Connecticut Humanities, the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, the Center of Connecticut Regional Tourism District, and Kiwanis International. He is a frequent workshop facilitator and keynote speaker in the museum and community service communities, and delivered a keynote address at the New England Museum Association’s 100th Anniversary Conference.
Cofrancesco holds a Bachelors of Architectural History from the University of Virginia. He is co-editor of Falmouth, Jamaica: Architecture as History (2014, University of the West Indies Press).
Sally leads the Connecticut Democracy Center team at Connecticut’s Old State House. For more than 12 years the team has managed the National Historic Landmark, on behalf of the General Assembly, creating popular school and public programs, tours, exhibitions, the Kid Governor® and Connecticut History Day programs, and a downtown Farmers Market. Every program uses history and civics to help people understand the world and take action on issues that concern them.
In 2015, the New England Museum Association honored Whipple with an Award of Excellence for more than 30 years of innovative, visionary management of museums and museum programs at four historic sites: Connecticut’s Old State House, the Mark Twain and Noah Webster Houses, and the Lebanon Historical Society Museum. She has provided consulting services for 25 Connecticut institutions. In 2004, she consulted as the Education Director for the National Archives’ American Originals exhibit at the University of Hartford’s Museum of American Political Life and as a lead exhibit team member for the accompanying Connecticut Originals exhibit. In 2005, Whipple oversaw the installation and programming of the Smithsonian’s Barn Again! exhibit at the Lebanon Historical Society and created innovative hands-on learning spaces for students and families. Her 1989 exhibition on African Americans in West Hartford, eventually led to West Hartford’s decision to name a school after Bristow, a man once enslaved and then freed in West Hartford.
Successful programming at Connecticut’s Old State House has relied on her leadership and strategic thinking. Her expertise is sought after in the history and museum communities, evidenced by her speaking engagements and roles as past Chair of Connecticut Humanities, past President of the Connecticut League of History Organizations, and board member for Discovering Amistad, Inc., the Coltsville Heritage Partnership, and the Association for the Study of State and Local History. She also serves on the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s Civic Health Advisory Group. In addition to a B. A. in History from Seton Hill College and M. A. from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies, Whipple has leadership certificates and a Certificate in Civic Engagement for Historic Sites from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A New Jersey native, Paul began his journey into professional media production at Seton Hall University’s radio station (WSOU) where he ushered in an era of unprecedented live concert broadcasts from New Jersey and New York nightclubs. His passion for audio production led him to fine tune his craft at a local recording studio where he mastered the art of audio engineering and lent his musical talents to local artists demos.
Paul found new inspiration for bringing audio and video together at a local cable television company in 1989. With an innovators spirit, he leveraged his production sensibilities and created a talent show for local musical artists at Suburban Cablevision. “I quickly learned everything about anything to do with video. I made friends with all the video engineers and found myself rocketing through the technical aspects of television production.” With a new skill set, Paul took over operation of the John H. Stamler Police academy video production studio in 1992 and demonstrated the power of media to law enforcement professionals. Paul wrote and directed policy and tactical training videos, crime scene re-enactments, documentaries, and used the emerging digital video technology to develop his own forensic video enhancement protocols that surpassed those of the FBI academy in Quantico.
After seven years of creating an extensive media library for the law and order community, Paul moved to Connecticut with his wife Kate and found new opportunities with the Connecticut Public Affairs Network where he has served for the last 19 years as a project manager. During his tenure, Paul found ways to bring unprecedented award-winning technical achievements to C-SPAN like coverage of the Connecticut state legislature (Emmy nominated Producer-2015 and Emmy nominated Technical Producer-2012). On November 1, 2018, Paul took the reins of overseeing the management and operations of the Connecticut Television Network where he proudly stewards television coverage of the “people’s house”.
