Social Studies Standards in the Courtroom Series

By Caroline Harris

Hi there, we are The Judge Frank Johnson Institute. We exist as a non-partisan voice that shares the stories of our Constitution and our Judiciary through programs that illuminate issues and perspectives, foster thoughtful and civil discourse, and inspire our national community in our nation’s never-ending pursuit of a more perfect union. 

We’ve been around since 2019, growing and learning on how to best live out our mission. Over the past four years we’ve had the pleasure of hosting over 2,300 visitors at the Frank Johnson, Jr. Federal Building in Montgomery, Alabama. Visitors have ranged from professional groups to students of all ages. 

Each visit was unique and presented an opportunity to learn how best to foster constitutional education through history. We’ve honed our visits to three main areas of interest: 

1). Civics: The U.S. Constitution and the Judiciary
2). History: Civil Rights Cases decided in America’s Courtroom
3). History: Sharing the legacy of Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. 

One of our flagship programs is the Johnson Institute Scholars Conference, a three-day convening at the Frank Johnson Courthouse for middle and high school civics and social studies educators. Summer 2023 was our second in-person conference. The conference offers sessions taught by federal judges highlighting the judicial system, anatomy of criminal and civil cases, and historical significance of cases decided in “America’s Courtroom.”

America’s Courtroom in the Frank Johnson Courthouse

A significant take-away from this year’s 2023 Scholars Class was the opportunity to share how The Johnson Institute can help educators meet specific social studies standards.

In the following months, we will be writing a blog series titled Standards in the Courtroom. We will highlight specific standards across grade levels, how students can experience the U.S. Constitution and Judiciary in action and learn about historic civil rights cases by sitting in the courtroom where some of these landmark cases were decided. 

Already interested in scheduling a visit? Click here to contact our team!

Celebrating Constitution Day 2023

Celebrating Constitution Day 2023

By Caroline Harris

What once began as “I am an American Day,” made official by President Roosevelt in 1939, has morphed into our current Constitution Day. 

September 17th is an annual observance for the impactful day when the United States Constitution was ratified and signed in 1787. 

It is a day to take time to celebrate and explore the extraordinary document that is the United States Constitution. Not only the document itself but the impact on the lives of United States citizens. 

This year, September 17th falls on a Sunday. However, the entire week can be dedicated to our country’s ruling document. 

All one needs to do is type “Constitution Day” into a search engine for numerous articles, blog posts, and videos to pop up. While I’m sure each resource is helpful, here are a few that can be easily implemented in a classroom or at home. 

• From iCivics, explore their Constitution Day Activities page! 

• From the The National Archives, browse through their Celebrating Constitution Day video resources!

• From the U.S. Courts, find a quick 10-minute activity highlighted on their Constitution Day and Citizenship Day page!

• From the Center for Civic Education, check out their Principles of the Constitution learning module! 

• From the Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., Institute, learn the impact Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. had on the U.S. Constitution in a panel discussion video from Constitution Day 2020! 

• Come visit the Frank Johnson Federal Building with us where visitors learn about the U.S. Constitution and the federal Judiciary! Click here to set up a tour. 

Happy Constitution Day!

Johnson Institute Executive Director Thomas Rains interviewed on Steve Flowers’ Alabama Politics

Thomas Rains, executive director of the Judge Frank Johnson Institute, was recently interviewed on Alabama Politics with Steve Flowers. In the interview, Rains discusses the Johnson Institute and its work at the Frank Johnson Courthouse in Montgomery, including civics and Constitutional education, courthouse tours, as well as some history about Judge Frank Johnson.

Flowers is a lifelong friend of Senior District Judge Keith Watkins, a charter board member of the Johnson Institute.

Johnson Institute to co-host Free Speech Forum with Jacksonville State University

The Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute and the Jacksonville State University American Democracy Project will co-host a Free Speech Forum at JSU on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. 

Panelists will include:

• Professor Bryan Fair, a First Amendment law expert at the University of Alabama School of Law and a board member for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

• Professor Allen Linken, political science professor who teaches Constitutional law at the University of Alabama and former US Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer.

• Former US Senator and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, who successfully argued a free speech case before the US Supreme Court, Lane v. Franks, in 2014.

• US District Judge Keith Watkins, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2005, elevated to chief judge in 2011 and assumed senior status in 2019. He is a board member of the Judge Frank Johnson Institute.

The panel will be moderated by Thomas Rains, executive director of the Johnson Institute and Dr. Lori Owens, chair of the JSU American Democracy Project committee and dean of Honors and Special Programs. More information about the event and speakers can be found here.

The American Democracy Project (ADP) at Jacksonville State University “is a nonpolitical, cooperative effort by students, faculty, staff, and administrators to promote community involvement. People from all walks of life are encouraged to work together to further civic interactions, discussions, and service opportunities.”

Members of the public are invited to submit questions using this link by noon on September 15. 

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville State University, 1602, 700 Pelham Rd N, Jacksonville, AL 36265 on the 11th floor of Houston Cole Library
Admission: Free and Open to the Public

July Scholars Conference Review

By Kimberly Pierce

Are you looking for a professional development opportunity that will enhance your socioemotional self while learning about law?

The Johnson Institute will provide you with that chance. During this three-day workshop you will:

• Meet current and retired judges/magistrates that will introduce and will discuss civil and criminal law,

• Tour the federal courthouse and visit the historic courtroom of the Hon. Frank Johnson,

• Participate in a mock trial with actual attorneys,

• Network with fellow educators,

• Create a lesson with your group that  showcases how you would teach this to your class,

• Receive resources to use in your classroom,

• Choose to tour a local historical site.

I was honored to participate during the July session. As a local History teacher, I acquired a better understanding of the intricacies of the judicial system. Meeting actual judges and having conversations brought a “realness” to their titles in comparison to what I see on T.V. I had the opportunity to tour the Freedom Rides Museum with my group and to discuss the transgressions that took place with public transportation while standing in the actual area of the original Greyhound station.

This whole experience was eye opening and thought provoking. I would definitely attend again if it was permitted.

Be sure to seize the opportunity when the time comes.

Johnson Institute Hosts Second Scholars Conference of 2023

By Gracie Morgan 

The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute successfully hosted its final summer Scholars Conference for 2023 on July 11-13. From each state within the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, middle and high school-level educators traveled to the Frank Johnson Jr. Federal Courthouse in  Montgomery for the multi-day conference. 

The Johnson Institute’s Scholars Conference is part of an ongoing effort to provide educators with free-of-charge civics education professional development by studying the role of the U.S. Constitution through historic court cases. 

With the help of judges, attorneys, and other volunteers from the Middle District of Alabama, teachers participated in immersive lessons about the U.S. Constitution, independent judiciary, and landmark cases from the Civil Rights era. Summer interns from the high school, college, and law school levels assisted with making the conference a success. 

The three-day program kicked off with an overview of the court system and appeals followed by classes on the “anatomy” of criminal and civil cases. The conference proceeded with a Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions workshop that included volunteer attorneys and a mock federal court hearing. The teachers heard from legal experts and learned firsthand from professionals in the field. 

The teachers delved into historic court cases with Senior District Judge Keith Watkins, a charter member of the Johnson Institute board who assisted in the planning of the conference. Among other cases, the teachers learned about Browder v. Gayle, the federal lawsuit related to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Williams v. Wallace, the suit that authorized the 1965 Selma March. After learning the history of some of these prominent cases, the teachers visited historic sites around Montgomery, broadening their understanding of American history. 

The final day of the conference included attending an actual sentencing in the U.S. District Court with Senior District Judge Myron Thompson. Prior to the sentencing, Judge Watkins walked the group through what they would see, and the prosecuting and defense attorneys discussed their roles. After the sentencing, Judge Thompson spoke with the group about being a judge and shared his own memories of Judge Johnson.

Teachers left the conference with a plethora of classroom resources and teaching strategies that allow them to provide their students with a unique and informative educational experience. 

The Johnson Institute will host the Scholars Conference again next summer. Middle and high school teachers interested in attending the 2024 conferences and keeping up with the Johnson Institute may sign up to receive email updates from the Johnson Institute regarding future dates, events, and news.

Johnson Institute’s Board Co-Chair Named First Black President Pro Tempore of Auburn Board Of Trustees

By Gracie Morgan 

Quentin Riggins, Co-Chair of the Johnson Institute Board of Directors, was recently elected as the first Black president pro tempore of the Auburn University Board of Trustees. 

The Montgomery native earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and distributive education from Auburn University in 1989, where he also led the Auburn football team to win three consecutive SEC championships under the coaching leadership of Coach Pat Dye from 1987-1989. Beyond his undergraduate career, Riggins continued to serve the university as a sideline reporter for the Auburn Sports Network for 25 years and became a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees in 2017.

In 2011, Riggins was named the senior vice president for governmental and corporate affairs at Alabama Power Company. Additionally, Riggins coordinates the grassroots and corporate relations programs within Alabama Power Co. He still serves in this role today and has led numerous councils and committees within Alabama Power. 

Prior to fulfilling his current position at Alabama Power, Riggins worked extensively within Alabama state government, achieving nearly 25 years of meaningful experience in governmental affairs. While working for the Alabama state government, Riggins worked for former Alabama House Speaker Seth Hammett as a legislative analyst and was appointed as the director of legislative affairs by Governor Bob Riley. Following his work with Governor Riley, Riggins served as the senior vice president of governmental affairs for the Business Council of Alabama, the state’s leading advocate for businesses. In this role, he led the governmental affairs efforts for over 5,000 corporate members of the BCA in both the state and federal government. Riggins’ passion for governmental affairs encouraged him to establish his own governmental affairs firm, Quentin Riggins and Associates, in Montgomery prior to beginning his career with Alabama Power Company. 

A highly successful and servant leader, Riggins has dedicated his career to serving his community and the state of Alabama. In past years, Riggins has served on the boards of Leadership Alabama, the Baptist Foundation, and the Energy Institute of Alabama. Currently, in addition to serving the Johnson Institute as Board co-chair, Riggins is on the boards of Grandview Medical Center, the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, and the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. 

Mr. Riggins’ lifelong devotion to his community has left a lasting impact on the state of Alabama and will continue as he begins his role as the president pro tempore of the Auburn Board of Trustees. 

Johnson Institute Hosts First Annual Scholars Conference of Summer 2023

By Tristan Dumas

The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute hosted its first conference of the 2023 summer at the Frank Johnson Courthouse in Montgomery, AL, with the help of judges, attorneys, and others from the Middle District of Alabama. 

June 2023 Class

The teachers attending this conference learned about the U.S. Constitution, independent judiciary, and historic cases of the Middle District of  Alabama. The teachers are sure to take back what they’ve learned this week to their students and colleagues.

“The most interesting things I’ve learned is what I can take back to my classroom like the mock lessons, the mock cases… and just the historical facts that I can use and my students can utilize in the classroom,” said Chad Hoffman, a 12th grade teacher from Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Alabama.

This conference is part of an ongoing effort to create a series of events that support teachers and students learning about the Constitution and landmark court cases that have shaped the law in American society. Teachers and other educators in attendance had roots everywhere from Montgomery to Michigan.

Over the three day conference (June 13-15), teachers met and heard from people skilled and knowledgeable in the law–including four judges and nine attorneys–to discuss the work they do, their experience with the Constitution, and other related topics. The group took part in a mock hearing designed for high school students by the U.S. Courts, working with volunteer attorneys and a judge, called Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions.

Daphney Portis participating in CD3 mock hearing.

Daphney Portis, a social justice coordinator at the YWCA Central Alabama thought “it would be awesome to attend this experience in order to get more of that background knowledge to really uplift the work that I do in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).”

A highlight of the conference was when Senior District Judge Keith Watkins discussed historic civil rights cases in the United States like Browder v. Gayle, the 1956 case that ruled Montgomery bus segregation was unconstitutional, and Williams v. Wallace, which authorized and granted protection for the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march. 

Other sessions included a dive into the inner workings of civil and criminal cases, a viewing of a sentencing, and pedagogical lessons from an experienced teacher. In addition to the discussions with experts on these topics, the teachers also visited the Legacy Museum led by the Equal Justice Initiative. 

Jarrett Maye, a teacher at LeFlore High School in Mobile, Alabama said, “When I found out that Judge Johnson was not just pivotal to the cases but his history and backstory really pushed him into why he decided the cases the way [he did], that opened up a door.”

Judge Watkins, a member of the Johnson Institute board, helped to plan the conference based on his experience observing the Montana Judicial Institute for teachers hosted by the District of Montana in Missoula.

The Johnson Institute will host the Scholars conferences again later this summer on July 11th-13th for middle and high school teachers. Teachers interested in attending and others interested in the Johnson Institute’s work can stay up to date by signing up for email updates here. 

For those interested in applying for involvement in the Summer Scholars Program sign up here.

Johnson Institute Hosts Humphrey Distinguished Fellows

The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute recently hosted two Hubert H. Humphrey Distinguished Fellows during their visit to Montgomery for a tour of the Frank Johnson Courthouse.

During the visit, the fellows, Ana Carolina Evangelista of Brazil and Elisabeth Sándor-Szalay of Hungary, joined the U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, law clerks, and Johnson Institute staff for lunch and a wide-ranging discussion of their countries.

“Meeting like this really makes people realize that we should compare each other's legal practice and our views on legal interpretation more often, and exchange ideas...” said Dr. Sándor-Szalay afterward. 

Dr. Sándor-Szalay is Ombudsperson (Hungarian NHRI) responsible for the protection of national/ethnic minorities living in Hungary. Ms. Evangelista is a senior researcher and the executive director of the Institute of Religious Studies in Brazil, the main Brazilian organization dedicated to study religion and its relations to politics.

The Humphrey Distinguished Fellowship Program “offers executive and leadership development opportunities for senior-level professionals. This rigorous, short-term, invitation-only program is designed to strengthen abilities to develop sound policies and programs around critical global issues. Through executive training and strategic engagement with U.S. organizations, this program provides a foundation for productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts overseas.”

Law Day 2023: Cornerstones of Democracy, the Rule and Role of Law

The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute is providing free educational programming for all schools to celebrate Law Day 2023, traditionally celebrated on May 1. Its goal is to deliver to schools a meaningful video in honor of Law Day and its theme, “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration," from the American Bar Association, with a particular focus on the rule of law and the role of law. The Johnson Institute, in partnership with the law firm of Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black, P.C., will provide school systems from around the nation and locally here in the River Region with a copy of the video made for Law Day. 

The video is accompanied with information about this year's Law Day theme and discussion questions to promote thoughtful dialog in the classroom. The Johnson Institute’s Law Day video highlights the three components of this year's theme. The judges participating discuss the rule of law and answer questions related to this year's theme. The Johnson Institute regularly provides free educational programming for students, teachers, and educational professionals in middle schools to the graduate level throughout the year.

View the video and resources here.

Judge Michelle Childs to Deliver Durr Lecture Saturday, April 29th

Judge J. Michelle Childs of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will speak Saturday evening, April 29th in Montgomery as part of the 2023 Clifford & Virginia Durr Lecture Weekend. The lecture will be held at First Baptist Church, 347 Ripley St. More information can be found on the Durr Lectures website linked above. Martha Prescott Norman Noonan, editor of Hands on the Freedom Plow, will speak Friday at Alabama State University.

The lectures are free and open to the public.

Judge Childs was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in July 2022. She holds her undergraduate degree in Management from the University of South Florida Honors College, a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, a Masters in Personnel and Employment Relations from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, a Masters of Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from the University of South Carolina. Her full bio can be found on the DC Circuit webpage.

Montgomery Public Schools’ MPACT Students Visit the Courthouse

The Middle District of Alabama and the Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute recently welcomed two groups of students from the Montgomery Public Schools’ MPACT program to the Frank Johnson Courthouse. MPACT, which stands for Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies, focuses on high school students who want to graduate with a career certification along with their high school degree. Students visiting the courthouse were primarily from the Public Safety, Information Technology, the Honors Career Society, and Fire Safety programs. FMJI helped coordinate the event to help introduce them to the historical and constitutional importance of The Frank Johnson Courthouse of the Middle District of Alabama while also exposing students to career options.

Judge Myron Thompson with MPACT students.

The groups heard from U. S. District Judge Myron Thompson and IT Director Florian Weber, and some students were able to watch live court proceedings. Judge Thompson and Mr. Weber spent time with the students discussing their work and how they decided on their career fields. A question and answer session with Judge Thompson not only helped students focus on law as a career field, but they were able to ask questions about the process and educational path that Judge Thompson took as well. The IT portion of the visit gave the MPACT students the opportunity to see firsthand all the avenues where technology is used and needed within the court system. Weber discussed certification, equipment, and personnel required to make the courts function. Students engaged with questions about degree areas, what types of court cases needed technical support, and how to get a job within the federal system. FMJI later hosted the Fire Safety and Public Safety classes from MPACT, catering to students with a focus on careers in law enforcement and fire departments. During this visit, the students were able to watch a sentencing in Judge Thompson’s courtroom.

While at the courthouse, the students were given the opportunity to tour the Johnson Library and ask questions with the FMJI staff. Several students stated the setting was “an awesome experience” and expressed interest in changing career fields after the tour. One visitor remarked that she “had no idea all this history was in Montgomery.”

Apply to be a summer scholar!

Put the ‘story’ in history! Are you a social studies teacher searching for content to breathe life into your curriculum? Are you a civics teacher seeking to illustrate the impact of the U.S. Constitution? Are you an educator wishing for stories to bring context and application to important lessons?

The Johnson Institute is pleased to announce the dates for the Scholars Program for 2023! Two sessions will be offered, 

June 13-15 & July 11-13

The Scholars Program is a three-day professional development conference for middle and high school teachers teaching history, government, social studies and related subjects seeking skills and resources to enrich course curriculum pertaining to the U.S. Constitution. Scholars will take a pedagogical look at the Constitutional arguments of landmark court cases from the Civil Rights Era. 

Highlights of the conference:

• Professional learning with educational experts, historians, and federal judges focused on teaching the U.S. Constitution through historic court cases

• Classroom resources (online and hard copies) including:

• Lesson plans and outlines on teaching constitutional court cases

• Student-friendly summaries of the cases

• Primary and secondary source documents for further study

• Teaching strategies for incorporating constitutional court cases and their significance into contemporary lessons

• Access to the Johnson Institute’s growing library of educational resources, community of experts, and future professional development opportunities

• Certificate of Attendance confirming course completion

• A small stipend for time and travel costs, upon course completion

We are now accepting applications! 

Click here to learn more and apply.

Please support FMJI in your year-end giving

We are excited about our growth at the Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute, and we are pleased to share some of the highlights of 2022. Our programming has expanded with in-person Johnson Institute Scholars conferences, a multitude of high school and college interns, and increased tours for community organizations, civic groups, and schools so the public can experience the Historic Courtroom firsthand. The Institute is expanding to fill a need, and our partnerships have also grown to include leadership organizations, schools and colleges, and more nonprofits.

Here are some examples of our growth over the last year:

• Training teachers from all over the country through multi-day conferences on Constitutional education and historical court cases decided here in Montgomery. Every attendee leaves these conferences with a deeper understanding of the American judicial system and hands-on materials to use in their classrooms free of charge.

• Tours for guests of all ages to have hands-on experience in the Frank Johnson Courthouse and an understanding of the history that took place here.

• Award-winning programming. In March, the American Bar Association recognized the Johnson Institute with an “Outstanding Activity Award” for our 2021 Law Day program, “What is Due Process?”.

• Providing personal interactions for our visitors to engage with legal professionals as they volunteer hand-in-hand with students, teachers, and others to foster knowledge of our court system. This includes the U.S. Courts’ “Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions” workshop for students. Seven federal judges and over 30 attorneys have played a role in our growing programming so far.

The rich history surrounding “America’s Courtroom” is unique, and the Johnson Institute is unmatched in its programs to recognize this history. The notable civil and human rights cases decided there changed the landscape of the United States, and this cornerstone of American History is a vital resource for civics education. In our work, we can tailor visits to specific topics, rulings, and time periods that best suit the visitors. 

We invite you to visit us and thank you for considering a financial donation to help the Johnson Institute continue its one-of-a-kind civics education offered to everyone. 

We wish you the best this holiday season and hope to see you in the New Year. 

Sincerely, 
Debbie Long, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors
Thomas Rains, Executive Director

P.S. If you shop on Amazon, please select the Johnson Institute as your benefiting charity on AmazonSmile and support our work at no additional cost to you. With each of your eligible purchases, Amazon makes a gift to us. For more information, click HERE.

FMJI Featured in Montgomery Business Journal

The Johnson Institute is proud to be featured in the September edition of the Montgomery Business Journal as part of its annual Big Give editorial highlighting local non-profit organizations. 

Since beginning operations in the summer of 2019, the Johnson Institute has grown its programming and hosted guests from all over the world at the Frank Johnson Courthouse. Our conferences for teachers have attracted participants from numerous states, and our collection of oral histories is growing.

Check out our profile in the MBJ, and keep an eye out for upcoming events!

Oral History Project

Judge Frank Johnson famously said that he was just “doing his job” by ruling in cases that upheld the United States Constitution. And, by doing his job, he changed the world. 

Over the course of his life and career, Judge Johnson made an impact on countless people. This was especially true through the Constitutional cases that came before him as a judge: Browder v. Gayle, Cobb v. Montgomery Library Board, Williams v. Wallace, Wyatt v. Stickney, and so many others. But, it was also true on a personal level, with his family and friends. 

In honor of Constitution Week 2022, the Johnson Institute is proud to share the inaugural videos of its Oral History Project. This project is capturing stories, memories, and accounts of events from people who knew, worked with, and were affected by the rulings of Judge Frank Johnson. We are preserving these stories for future historical and educational use.

The Johnson Institute is grateful to the narrators who have shared their stories, and we look forward to speaking with many more in the months and years to come. 

Come Work with Us!

The Johnson Institute is growing! We are currently accepting applications for two newly created positions. These are unique opportunities to join a young 501(c)(3) organization focused on sharing the stories of history to inspire and promote civics education, understanding of the United States and its system of government.

• Administrative Coordinator: This position reports to the Executive Director and will work with him and other staff to support the Institute’s operations and programming. For more information, please see the full job description.

• Education Coordinator: This position reports to the Executive Director and will manage existing programs and develop new educational events and programming focused on the U.S. Constitution, the independent judiciary, and the history of the Middle District of Alabama. For more information, please see the full job description.

Each role will begin on a part-time, hybrid basis with the potential to grow into a full-time position at the Johnson Institute. Successful applicants should be able to work remotely and at the Johnson Institute’s office in Montgomery in the course of business.

To stay up to date on future job opportunities, please bookmark our Job Openings page.