We partner with students, teachers, schools, community partners, and government institutions to promote authentic civic participation that models educating in and for democracy. See more about our Civic Life Lenses and Core Practices from our Ready for Civic Life Vision and Strategy for Civic Learning and Leadership in CPS.
The Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement oversees curriculum, training, resources, partnerships, and events that promote civic life across the district. Some examples highlighted here include:
- K-12 Social Science Instruction
- Service Learning & Civic Oriented Project-Based Learning
- Student Leadership Groups: Student Voice Committees, Student Voice and Activism Fellows, Student Advisory Council
- Student Voice 360
- CIMBY: Environmental Advocacy
- Financial Education
- Districtwide Civic Life Initiatives
Coming soon: Informed Participants: Critical Media & Information Literacy; Ethical Participants: Engaging in difficult or controversial conversations
STORYCORPS and CPS! We are excited to announce a new partnership with StoryCorps that encourages all CPS students, educators, and families to engage in the powerful practice of examining who we are by uplifting varied voices and experiences, and fostering a deeper understanding of both your world and the world of those around you through storytelling interviews. Click here to get started!
Acknowledgements
CPS gratefully acknowledges the partnership of Robert R. McCormick Foundation, whose support, encouragement, and advocacy has ensured the quality and sustainability of civic life programming that has touched the lives of countless students and educators. Thank you.
CPS thanks our community-based partners who work tirelessly to ensure every Chicago Public School student received access to high-quality education and civic learning opportunities.
See a full list of our partners.
Contact Us
Name | Role | Email Address |
---|---|---|
Heather Van Benthuysen | Director of Social Science & Civic Engagement | hvanbenthuysen@cps.edu |
Amber Neal | Community Partnerships Specialist | acneal2@cps.edu |
Janeen Lee | Social Science Manager | jlee104@cps.edu |
Tamara Acoba | 6-8 Social Science Specialist | tmacoba@cps.edu |
Mayra Almaraz | HS Social Science Specialist | malmaraz1@cps.edu |
Yamali Rodriguez-Gruger | HS Social Science Specialist | YaRodriguez@cps.edu |
Alayna Washington | HS Social Science Specialist | apwashington2@cps.edu |
Emma Kornfeld | Civic Engagement Manager | ekornfeld@cps.edu |
Chris Olsen | Middle School Civic Learning Specialist | colsen1@cps.edu |
Alejandra Frausto | Project-Based Learning Manager | afrausto@cps.edu |
Camille Powell | Student Voice and Activism Fellows (SVAF) Program Coordinator | cjpowell2@cps.edu |
Samantha Ozik | Project Coordinator, Environmental Programs | scmattone@cps.edu |
Xochyl Perez | Calumet Is My Back Yard (CIMBY) Stewardship Coordinator | xperez7@cps.edu |
Maryam Salem | Calumet Is My Back Yard (CIMBY) Stewardship Coordinator | msalem1@cps.edu |
Isil Cinar | SSCE Operations Coordinator | icinar1@cps.edu |
Elle Cumberbatch | Youth Engagement and Communications Specialist | ncumberbatch@cps.edu |
Dustin Voss | Financial Education Specialist | dkvoss@cps.edu |