The Walter H. Rice Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was filled with educators on Friday, March 6, 2026, as the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio hosted its 2026 Teachers’ Institute.
More than 40 teachers from eight Ohio counties gathered in Dayton for a day of civics education designed to help them bring the complexities of the federal judiciary into the classroom. The program provided an opportunity for educators to engage directly with federal judges, law clerks, and legal practitioners to better understand the judiciary.
This Teachers’ Institute was the second hosted by the Court since 2024. It was led by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman, U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter B. Silvain, Jr., and U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline H. Gentry.
“The Teachers’ Institute is one of the most important outreach programs we host because it allows us to support the educators who are shaping the next generation of citizens,” Judge Newman said. “By opening our courtrooms, we hope to provide teachers with the tools and confidence to explain the importance of an independent judiciary to their students. It is an honor to welcome such dedicated professionals and to see their passion.”
The judges led sessions on the roles of federal judges, the rule of law, and the First Amendment in schools, specifically focusing on landmark Supreme Court cases. The teachers also explored how Fourth Amendment protections are evolving, and learned how both criminal and civil cases are litigated.
Teachers were given the chance to take part in a mock oral argument session, where they worked alongside federal law clerks and interns to prepare arguments and argued in front of a federal judge. Members of the University of Dayton School of Law Mock Trial Team demonstrated courtroom procedures, leaving the teachers with a clearer understanding of how the Court’s impartiality resolves disputes.
The access to the judges and legal professionals was a highlight for Stephanie Tomlin, a Social Studies teacher at Bellbrook High School. She attended the Institute to find new ways to engage her students, and was highly complimentary of the educational opportunities afforded to her and the other teachers.
The Teachers’ Institute is part of a broader effort by the Southern District of Ohio to enhance civics education and community outreach. If you are a teacher or a leader of a civics group in the Southern District of Ohio and want to visit the Court, please reach out to Public Information Officer Parker Perry (parker_perry@ohsd.uscourts.gov) and he will be happy to coordinate your visit.
