Sphere Education Initiative

It’s here. The award-winning short documentary about Sphere is now live on YouTube. After 15 film festival screenings, four prestigious awards, and a nationwide run, it’s finally available to everyone. 🎬 Watch the full documentary now: youtu.be/ZweAZGyyZDA

Want to learn more about AWARE and other strategies for your classroom? Download it for free as part of our Principles of Civil Discourse Primer: sphere-ed.org/publication/pr…

The best way to cool down a polarized classroom? Start with this. In this clip, Sarah Lane explains how one simple habit can shift conversations from tension to understanding. It’s part of Sphere’s AWARE framework, where wonder helps students listen, share viewpoints, and build a healthier culture for classroom discussions.

"Sphere changed everything: it didn't just restore my optimism; it equipped me with concrete tools to bring civil discourse into the classroom with confidence." Meet Shannon Edwards, a high school English teacher from Kansas. Before attending Sphere Summit, Shannon writes, "I had started to avoid potentially controversial topics because I didn't feel I had the skills to handle challenges from students, parents, or administrators." Sphere helped her gain the skills, lesson plans, and insights she needed. Now she says, "I’m no longer avoiding tough conversations—I’m confidently facilitating them!" @WichitaUSD259

While interviewing educator Sarah Xander for the newest episode of The Teacher’s Sphere, host Kobi Nelson had an unexpected “aha” moment about why discomfort is often part of real learning. This latest episode of the Teacher's Sphere podcast takes a new investigative storytelling approach to exploring classroom discourse. It’s the perfect way to finish off #CivicLearningWeek 🎧 Listen now: sphere-ed.org/teachers-sphere

“Being uncertain is okay. Being uncomfortable is okay. In fact, it’s a necessity if we want to grow and connect with others.” @KathleenKobi Find the link to the episode in the replies ⏬️

@KathleenKobi youtu.be/VzlzgSzdSYI

The Teacher's Sphere podcast is back! Host @KathleenKobi explores the balance teachers often need to find between freedom and structure, the ways that discomfort can be a powerful learning opportunity, and what it might mean for teachers to embrace uncertainty in their own teaching practice. In honor of #CivicLearningWeek, we are celebrating the value of uncomfortable classroom conversations, and the educators who facilitate them. (link in replies)

“During the fall semester I completed a project with my AP US Government class that I planned with the support of my team as a part of the Sphere Alumni Fellowship program.” Meet Erin Chady, a high school social studies teacher from Tennessee. “My students organized two community forums for our school—one with local business leaders and one with community leaders, wrote a bill they thought would help with homelessness in Knoxville and presented it to their representatives on the County Commission, and completed a service project making blankets for the homeless.” It’s #CivicLearningWeek, so we’re excited to share Erin’s story and celebrate civics educators everywhere. @NationalCLW

The @RetroReport and @SphereEdIn session at #CivicLearningWeek is about to begin. Come check it out.

Tonight: Join us for a free webinar on five unsung heroines of the American Revolution.

Thank you to our Gold Sponsors! Your consistent support helped us make this event a reality. @RamseySolutions @PerfectionLearn @SphereEdIn @SocialStudiesSS @studiesweekly @Texas_LRE

@TimothySandefur If you want to bring perspectives like this into your classroom, our America’s 250th collection offers lessons that help students explore the nation’s founding while building skills for healthy disagreement. Browse the collection: sphere-ed.org/collection/ame…

Civility is built into the Declaration of Independence. @TimothySandefur explains.

What does it look like to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard? In our new middle school lesson, students explore Frederick Douglass’ courage, kindness, and belief in human dignity. Through discussion, reflection, and an “I Am Unbreakable” art project, students practice respectful communication, support others, and stay true to themselves. 📚 Explore the full lesson and classroom resources (link in reply)

I love this picture! You all are the best and everyone @SphereEdIn appreciates you!

@NNCSSteachers We were honored to be a part of it!

Again, thanks so much to our panelists and them sharing their knowledge and perspectives in relation to our conference this year.

This was so enjoyable and what an engaging discussion by all the panelists! So honored to moderate the discussion! @SphereEdIn #teachersphere

"These educators come from across the political spectrum, but they all share a common goal: cultivating openness, curiosity, and civil discourse in their classrooms—then sending students into society with the habits of mind necessary for the responsibilities of citizenship." Check out this excellent article by @HardoHardman about how Sphere is helping teachers make real impact in classrooms all over the country.

@slane_nestor @SphereEdIn Thank you for being a valued room sponsor!