The University of Arizona’s Center for the Philosophy of Freedom continues its commitment to advancing civic education through its partnership with Sphere Education Initiatives in the fourth annual Foundations of Civic Culture Summit. The 250th anniversary of the United States provides educators with the unique opportunity to help students engage meaningfully with the nation’s founding principles, and following the success of last year’s gathering in Phoenix, the 2026 summit represents the next step in a growing tradition of equipping teachers with the tools needed to foster meaningful civic engagement in their classrooms.
Held on January 24, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona, this year’s mini-summit, “America’s 250th: Exploring the Founding Through an Economics and Civics Lens,” was a full-scholarship professional development opportunity for grade 5–12 educators and administrators. These are programs that emphasize hands-on learning, interactive discussion, and practical application, where participants are introduced to key ideas on civility, and given tips on how to bring those ideas into their classrooms in ways that emphasize student engagement.
Central to this year’s theme is the relationship between economics and civics, and how both disciplines contribute to sustaining a healthy civic culture. SPHERE and the Freedom Center are hoping to challenge educators to engage students with questions on liberty and mutual respect, building on the same spirit of inquiry and civil discourse that defined last year’s discussions on public policy and social issues.
The Summit
Throughout the day, participants took part in workshops led by experienced educators and thought leaders, including Debbie Henney of the Foundation for Teaching Economics and John Snoad of Sphere Education Initiatives. The summit’s emphasis is on active learning, with workshops designed in collaboration with SPHERE and the Freedom Center that are built to encourage collaboration and participation. These provide educators with proven, adaptable strategies for teaching complex civics and economics topics to students, all while fostering respectful dialogue, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.
There were also two keynote addresses given at the event. Timothy Sandefur, Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute, kicked off the summit with a speech that drew from his forthcoming book, Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence (2026), discussing the philosophical foundations of the American founding. Later in the day, David Schmidtz, Presidential Chair of Moral Science at West Virginia University’s Chambers College of Business and Economics, gave his speech, which covered the influence Adam Smith had over the American Founders and centered on the economic ideas that helped shape the nation’s political framework.
”Conversations aren't things you win and lose. Just chill and get something out of it. Its trade. Trade is mutually advantageous. So just let your conversation be the trade that conversation naturally should be.
David SchmidtzSharing his insight after his Keynote Speech
Looking Forward
If you’re thinking of attending next year’s summit, the Foundations of Civic Culture Summit remains an immersive and application-driven experience. Participants received six hours of professional development, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and access to classroom resources and books.
Building on the momentum of past summits, the 2026 gathering reinforced the Freedom Center’s ongoing mission to support educators and strengthen civic culture. By empowering teachers to lead thoughtful discussions and engage students with foundational ideas, we hope the summit continues to play a vital role in preparing the next generation for informed and respectful participation in civic life.
