James MagazineJames_July-August_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 33
E D U CAT I O N
BY M AT T C A M P B E L L
A
t a time when political debates dominate social media,
misinformation
spreads rapidly
and public trust in institutions is often challenged. So the importance
of teaching government, politics
and current events in high school
has never been greater.
While many view civic education as simply learning how a bill
becomes a law or memorizing the
branches of government, its true
purpose is much broader. Effective
civic education helps build informed citizens, teaches respectful
discourse, encourages community
engagement, connects students
to the real world and prepares the
next generation of leaders.
Georgia has long benefited
from educators who have dedicated themselves to this mission. One
example can be found in coastal
Georgia, where former Mayor Russ
Carpenter teaches government
and social studies at Richmond Hill
High School. Carpenter has spent
years helping students connect
government lessons to real-world
issues, exemplifying the connection
between classroom learning and
public service, helping students
understand the role government
plays in shaping communities while
demonstrating that leadership often
begins at the local level.
As a former student of the mayor, I can attest how a great teacher
can improve a student’s understanding of the role citizens play in
shaping their communities, while
generating a desire within themselves to serve the greater good.
Morgan County High’s Rachel Kinsaul
Today, that same commitment
to developing engaged citizens is
taking place in classrooms across
Georgia, including those led by
Rachel Kinsaul, Georgia’s 2026
Teacher of the Year and a finalist
for National Teacher of the Year.
Kinsaul has spent the last decade teaching agriculture at Morgan
County High School and has served
as an educator for 15 years. While
many people picture teachers working only during school hours, she
laughs at that misconception.
“I think something people underestimate is the number of hours
I spend outside of the classroom,”
Kinsaul said. As a Future Farmers
of America advisor, she spends
countless hours after school taking
students to livestock shows, preparing for competitions, attending
conferences and conventions, and
helping students develop leadership skills that extend far beyond
academics. “A big part of my job is
the work done after 3:30,” she said.
That investment reflects one
of the most important goals of
education: preparing students to
become active participants in their
communities.
An Informed Citizenry
A healthy democracy depends
on informed citizens. Students who
understand government, public policy, and current events are better
prepared to vote, engage in civic
life, and make informed decisions.
Yet civic education is about
more than understanding government structures. It is about helping
students understand how decisions
affect the communities where they
live and work. Kinsaul believes
strongly in immersing herself in
the community she serves. Living
in Madison, where she teaches,
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