Vision/Mission

Our Vision
For a society in which all young people become lifelong, knowledgeable, and confident participants in our democracy.
Our Mission
Teach Democracy (formerly Constitutional Rights Foundation) inspires lifelong civic engagement through interactive programs and resources for teachers and youth because our democracy depends on informed participation by all.
We seeks to instill in our nation's youth a lifelong commitment to the principles expressed in our Constitution. We does this by leveraging the commitment of teachers and amplifying the voice of young people. Our civic education resources are interactive and non-partisan with an emphasis on civil discourse. They are research-based and aligned to standards. We aim to engage young people to become active and empowered participants in our democracy.
Teach Democracy is dedicated to removing barriers, especially for underserved communities, to assure equity and justice in access to civic education. We are a non-profit, non-partisan, national and community-serving organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of professionals and thought leaders from the fields of law, business, government, education, entertainment, and the community. Our staff include educators, lawyers, community organizers, fundraisers, designers, writers, and editors. They provide technical assistance and training to teachers, coordinate civic participation projects in schools and communities, organize student conferences and competitions, and develop publications in the following areas:
- Law and Government programs and materials focus on how groups and individuals interact with the issues, institutions, people, and processes that shape our laws and government.
- Civic Participation programs and materials bring to life the rights and responsibilities of active citizenship by challenging young people to explore their community and plan and implement projects that address community needs.
Explore the Programs section to learn how we translate our vision into reality. Turn to the Publications page to survey our catalog offering materials in Government, U.S. and World History, Business, and Civic Participation. Tour our Support section to learn how we keep our vital work moving ahead, or check out the Calendar. Finally, read about our History.
Federal Tax Id: 95-2219680 | Tax exempt status: 501(c)(3)
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
All Directors are independent, voting members. Updated March 2023.
Officers and Executive Committee:
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Jason C. Lo
Vice-Chair
Gibson Dunn
Nancy R. Thomas
Secretary
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Hon. John A. Kronstadt
At-Large
U.S. District Court
Angela Machala
Nominating Committee Vice-Chair
Winston & Strawn LLP
Brian R. Michael
Co-Chair, Development Committee
Morrison & Foerster
Daniel Floyd
At-Large
Sony Entertainment
Kate Gold
At-Large
Proskauer Rose
Peter B. Morrison
Co-Chair, Development Committee
Skadden
Jonathan Gordon
Chair, Education & Program Oversight Committee
Alston & Bird
Douglas A. Thompson
Co-Chair, Publications Committee
Snell & Wilmer
T. Warren Jackson, Esq.
At-Large
Signature Resolution
Directors
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Manny Joseph Caixeiro |
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Monisha A. Coelho |
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![]() Hyundai Motor North America |
Jennifer Estremera![]() Reichman Jorgensen |
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![]() Participant |
![]() Loeb & Loeb LLP |
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Jennifer Keller |
![]() Southern California Edison |
Elaine K. Kim |
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Amy Longo |
Rachel Lowe![]() Alston & Bird LLP |
![]() Vice-Chair, Development Committee Nixon Peabody |
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Patrick McNicholas![]() McNicholas & McNicholas LLP |
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Hon. Tara Newman![]() Los Angeles County Superior Court |
Becky O'Malley |
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David Rodman![]() Oracle NetSuite |
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Joel D. Siegel |
![]() Katten |
R![]() Morrison & Foerster |
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Laura R. Washington |
Collin P. Wedel
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Hon. Gregory J. Weingart![]() California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One |
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Emeritus Board
Emeritus Board
Membership on Teach Democracy’s Emeritus Board recognizes those individuals who made meritorious contributions to the mission of the Foundation and the young people we serve during their tenures on our Board of Directors.
Bette Bardeen |
Richard Kolodny |
Legacy Society
Legacy Society
Securing the future of Teach Democracy
We acknowledge with enormous gratitude those who have pledged to include Teach Democracy in their estate planning. |
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Robert C. Aronoff |
Jonathan M. Gordon |
Endowment BuildersSince 1990, we has been fortunate to receive a number of endowments given by people who share our passion for civic education and support our mission, teaching young people how to be engaged citizens in our democracy. We acknowledge with enormous gratitude past presidents who established endowments: Jerome C. Byrne, James A. Cobey, and Alan I. Rothenberg; to past board members, Jack Stutman and Robert Rosenstiel; and to our long-time supporters Phyllis and Robert Henigson for their continuing Life Income Gifts. We would also like to recognize Dr. Jama Laurent and the board of directors of the Creative Kids Foundation for establishing an endowment allowing us to place students as interns in arts organizations in Los Angeles. To all of you, a very special thank you. Most of all, we would like to send out a loud cheer and celebrate our champion of champions, Lloyd M. Smith, who throughout his life embodied the highest ideals of American democracy and believed in the importance that all young people be educated about their constitutional heritage. It was Lloyd who established the Endowment Builders Program, ensuring that our mission continues long into the future. To all of our friends, supporters, and donors, and to those people who have indicated that they will remember us in their will or by bequest: We thank you for your generosity and for the trust you have given us. Most important, we thank you on behalf of the students of tomorrow who will have opportunities to learn about and celebrate our Constitution and its Bill of Rights for generations to come. Contact us to discuss possible bequests or endowment. |
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Past Board Chairs
Past Board Chair |
Term |
Gene Kaplan* |
1962 - 1964 |
Gifford Philips* |
1964 - 1967 |
Richard Rogan* |
1967 - 1969 |
Jerome C. Byrne* |
1969 - 1971 |
Dorman Commons* |
1971 - 1974 |
James A. Cobey* |
1974 - 1976 |
Robert E. Taylor* |
1976 - 1978 |
Robert E. Carlson |
1978 - 1980 |
Bruce Gitelson |
1980 |
William P. Hogoboom* |
1981 - 1984 |
Raymond C. Fisher* |
1984 - 1987 |
Alan I. Rothenberg |
1987 - 1990 |
Harry L. Usher* |
1990 - 1992 |
Alan V. Friedman |
1992 - 1994 |
Knox M. Cologne, III |
1994 - 1996 |
Susan J. Troy |
1996 - 1998 |
Haley J. Fromholz |
1998 - 2000 |
Marjorie S. Steinberg |
2000 - 2002 |
Jerome L. Coben |
2002 - 2004 |
Louis P. Eatman |
2004 - 2006 |
John A. Kronstadt |
2006 - 2008 |
Joseph A. Calabrese |
2008 - 2010 |
Michael Lawson |
2010 - 2012 |
T. Warren Jackson |
2012 - 2014 |
Robert S. Stern |
2014 - 2016 |
Christopher Paskach |
2016 -2018 |
Peter B. Morrison |
2018 - 2020 |
Kimberly A. Dunne |
2020 - 2022 |
* deceased
Annual Reports and Financials
Annual Reports
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
Financial Statements
Staff
Staff
(Click on names for staff bio and contact information.)
Lydia joined Teach Democracy in September of 2023 as the Development Manager and is responsible for cultivating donor relationships, generating funding, and acting as liaison to our robust Board of Directors. Lydia graduated from Western Carolina University with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminology and Sociology, minoring in Psychology and International Studies. After receiving her Master of Social Work with a specialization in Social, Community, and Economic Development from the University of South Carolina, she moved to Los Angeles to work for 1736 Family Crisis Center. Along with an interest in policy/advocacy and a passion for serving the community, Lydia has more than five years of experience in nonprofit development and is excited to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals to foster the engagement of youth in democracy.
Since coming to Teach Democracy in 2001 with degrees in political science and history, David has provided local, regional, and national training to youth, educators, and other professionals seeking ways to integrate civic- and law-related activities into their educational programs. David became senior operations director in 2022. Due to events leading to the dramatic change in the day-to-day operations of the organization, David has assumed leadership in Teach Democracy's operations and information technology, as well as assisting in online learning programs and resources. David is also on the Civic Action Project team and is responsible for filming and editing projects to help promote and showcase programs.
Jasmin began working at Teach Democracy in 2019 as a program coordinator for the Mock Trial and Expanding Horizons Institute (EHI) programs. She participated in the EHI program herself in 2013 and enjoyed her experience in the program. Jasmin graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a degree in Spanish. In 2022, she assumed the role of Office Manager.
Kathleen joined Teach Democracy in 2022 as a program director, working on various programs and as a curriculum writer. Prior to Teach Democracy, she spent eight years as a high school STEM teacher and was a moderator for the high school Mock Trial program. She is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University.
Damon began working at Teach Democracy in 2008. He edits the Bill of Rights in Action (BRIA) magazine and all Teach Democracy's curricular materials and publications. Damon also develops curriculum for many of the programs and leads teacher professional development workshops in a variety of social studies subjects. Damon is the director of the California Three Rs Project for teaching about freedom of religion and religious literacy in California’s public schools. Before Teach Democracy, Damon was an attorney with the Los Angeles County Public Defender, a professional mediator, and a middle-school social-studies and English-language arts teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree in history (with a minor in cinema) from USC, his M.Ed. from UCLA, and his JD from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He is the recipient of the 2021 Hilda Taba Award from the California Council for the Social Studies.
John is the Managing Director of John H Martin LLC and have been under contract with Teach Democracy since 1990. He is responsible for the finances of Teach Democracy and works closely with the President and the Board. John as been married for over thirty years with three grown children who also participated in Teach Democracy programs. He has served on a local school board for over forty years and have rotated as Board Chair on numerous occasions and perennial serves as Chair the Board’s Budget and Audit Committee.
Gregorio began working at Teach Democracy in 1995 and specializes in leading workshops for youth and conducting professional development sessions for educators and program staff seeking ways to incorporate civic- and law-related activities into their school or community-based programs. Gregorio also directs Teach Democracy's Youth & Police program and co-directs the national Civic Action Project. He is a graduate of East Los Angeles College and Occidental College.
Robert Medrano joined Teach Democracy in 2023 as a program director. Robert supports the development of curricular materials and publications. Prior to joining Teach Democracy, Robert spent a decade as a secondary social studies teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum developer. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from California State University Fullerton, and his master's in teaching and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.
With Teach Democracy since 1990, Lourdes currently directs the California Mock Trial program, which includes the Los Angeles County and California State Finals competitions. She works with county coordinators, administrators, teachers, and hundreds of judges and lawyers throughout the state. Lourdes also directs the Expanding Horizons Institute, partnering with job sites and providing guidance for the educational seminars for high school students from underserved communities in the greater Los Angeles area. She provides workshop sessions at local and state conferences on Teach Democracy programs and materials. Lourdes is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience implementing history programs to K-12 schools including serving as the director of History Day in California for many years.
Mina joined Teach Democracy in 2023 as the development assistant. She works with the director of development and the development manager with duties including event-planning; donor and database management; and administrative assistance. Prior to this experience, Mina was a research assistant at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She graduated in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in politics and sociology.
Sean-Michael is the program coordinator for the Expanding Horizons Institute (EHI) and Mock Trial programs. He began working at Teach Democracy in 2016. Before coming to Teach Democracy, Sean-Michael participated in the EHI program as a student in 2008 and is happy to now work on the same program. He currently attends California State University, Northridge, and is majoring in political science (law and society).
Vanessa joined Teach Democracy in 2022 as a programs assistant working with the Civic Action Project and Youth & Police programs. She also assists the development team. Vanessa earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine. Working at Teach Democracy helps to fullfill Vanessa's goal of empowering students to make changes in their community.
Cara Shaffer joined Teach Democracy in January 2023, bringing 15 years of experience in fundraising and events. Before joining Teach Democracy, Cara served for two years as the Planned Giving Manager at the Gary Sinise Foundation where she created the Planned Giving Department and the Gary Sinise Foundation Legacy Society. While there, she raised over $77 million for our current military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Prior to her role at the Gary Sinise Foundation, Cara served as the Director of Major Gifts for the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Towson University (her alma mater) and as the Events and Conference Manager at Maryland Institute College of Art.
Laura joined Teach Democracy in 2001 and serves as the director of programs. She works closely with all Teach Democracy programs focusing on program design and implementation, national partnerships, and leading local, state, and national professional development. Laura also teaches Street Law at Southwestern Law School where she prepares law students to work with young people in the dependency and delinquency systems. Laura has served on the California State Bar Council on Access and Fairness and the National High School Mock Trial Board. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and social behavior, and criminology law and society from the University of California, Irvine, and her JD from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Before joining Teach Democracy, Laura taught at a Los Angeles middle school, practiced law at the Colorado Department of Education, and worked as an in-house transactional attorney.
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