Lem Wheeles has taught social studies at A.J. Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska, for his entire 21-year teaching career. He earned a BA in Political Science and an MA in Teaching from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Wheeles strives to inspire his students to be engaged citizens; he empowers them to be politically active by teaching them about their government and its history and providing them with opportunities to engage with their government. He provides opportunities for students to develop their interests and leadership skills as the student government advisor and Model United Nations Advisor. He also is the faculty co-advisor for the Anchorage School District Student Advisory Board. Wheeles serves as the chair of the Alaska Professional Teaching Practices Commission, and as Parliamentarian for the Anchorage Education Association and NEA-Alaska.

Christian Pensiero is committed to inspiring her diverse group of students to become active and informed citizens. “In my classroom, the students speak over a dozen different languages and come from many walks of life,” she said. “Some are multilingual learners and brand new to the U.S. Many others are first or second-generation immigrants hailing from all over the world. Their diverse backgrounds converge in my classroom to learn the essence of American democracy. My aim is to equip them with the necessary skills to shape the future of our world through civic engagement and then to inspire them to go out and actively pursue that mission.” With 14 years of teaching experience, she is dedicated to creating a classroom environment where every student is encouraged to engage with their community and advocate for meaningful change.

Lauren Hallgring is a passionate civic educator with 14 years of experience at Neptune Middle School, where she focuses on fostering democratic beliefs and values among her students. Committed to presenting diverse perspectives, she designs innovative lessons that encourage civic engagement, such as role-playing historical figures and participating in community-focused initiatives like Civics Day and beach cleanups. As the author of the eighth-grade civics curriculum, she collaborates with organizations like the League of Women Voters to make civics relatable and accessible. Her strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, combined with her passion for civic education, empower young adults to become active, responsible members of their communities.