“Empowering students to raise their voices — whether through public speaking initiatives that amplify youth perspectives or a well-argued email to the superintendent about post-Super Bowl fatigue — is the heart of civic education,” de Jongh said. “Receiving the Governor’s Award for Civics Education affirmed that this work matters, inspiring me to continue fostering engaged, informed and thoughtfully persuasive citizens.”

Nathan Moser, social studies teacher at Middletown High School in Appoquinimink School District, was selected for his dedication to expanding civics education through real-life applications and action civics in the classroom, balancing content knowledge with developing civic skills and dispositions. 

His students engage in impactful activities such as writing letters to representatives, conducting mock court cases and organizing peaceful protest marches through Wilmington. They hear directly from guest speakers across levels of government, including U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester. 

“His work exemplifies the profound impact that passionate and committed educators can have on the future of our democracy,” said Madeline Weckel, Head of School for Freire Charter.

Beyond the classroom, Moser serves as an instructional coach, peer mentor and department chair and previously represented educators on the Freire Charter School Board. As a public education spokesperson for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, he has also personally advocated for education policy at Legislative Hall in Dover.

Stacy Walls-Bartkowski, a ninth grade social studies educator at Newark Charter Senior High School, has taught for more than 30 years and actively models student civic engagement through activities like voting, communicating with elected officials and organizing a Constitutional Convention at Newark Charter School. 

“Her contributions have significantly enriched our school's learning environment and have had a lasting impact on our students and the broader community,” said Principal Daniel Bartnik of Newark Charter. 

Walls-Bartkowski is a UD alumna with a bachelor’s degree in history education and a master’s degree in American history. She is a dedicated civic educator who continually expands her own learning, including being named a prestigious James Madison Fellow and participating in programs such as the DCCE’s Democracy Project Summer Institute for Teachers. She shares her expertise with peers through the iCivics Educator Network. 

“She has dedicated her career to making sure students are able to make a difference in the world around them and that experiencing democracy is the key to a healthy society,” said Brent Freccia, Newark Charter School social studies department chair. 

Each recipient of the Governor’s Award was selected based on nominations from district social studies supervisors and submitted application packets, which were evaluated by review panelists from UD, the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Historical Society, and previous awardees. 

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About the Institute for Public Administration

The University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) addresses the policy, planning, and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professional development and the education of tomorrow’s leaders. As a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, IPA collaborates with state agencies, municipal governments, nonprofits, communities and businesses to examine complex policy issues and improve quality of life in Delaware and beyond.

About the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration 

Established in 1961 and named in 2018 for the University of Delaware’s most distinguished alumnus, the 46th President of the United States, the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in research and public service to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. Biden School faculty, staff, students, and alumni create and use interdisciplinary, nonpartisan research and empirically based analysis to inform effective decision-making and policy and to improve leadership and administration. The Biden School partners with organizations from all sectors to discover innovative and equitable solutions to the critical challenges of our time.