Omaha Area Teachers Attend Law Workshop

Omaha area teachers were able to get a crash course in law thanks to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Political Science Department and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Teachers’ Law School, a two-day workshop that took place July 30 and 31, was created to help promote civic literacy and to help teachers better understand the courts and judicial process. It took place at the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse in downtown Omaha.

Participants had the chance to learn from several Nebraska and U.S. District Court judges as well as attorneys and public defenders. Over the course of the workshop, teachers took part in a variety of activities, lectures, simulations, and court hearings related to both federal and state court topics.

“Many teachers do not have ready access to legal professionals,” said Zach Wojtowicz, program facilitator for Teachers Law School. “These opportunities expose educators to important insights about the Constitution, which they can translate to their students.”

All of the judges and lawyers involved volunteered their time to help educate the teachers who participated; Wojtowicz says many of the participating judges and lawyers also helped fund the event, along with generous local law firms. The UNO alumnus hopes the program can continue every year.

“More education for our social studies teachers will only benefit our broader citizenry. I hope they take what they learned and incorporate the information into meaningful lessons for our youth.”