Fourteenth Amendment: Origins and Interpretations

This three-day professional development seminar, held in partnership with The Jack Miller Center, is designed for educators, explores the origins, interpretations, and enduring impact of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Held over a weekend in September, the seminar combines scholarly insights, collaborative analysis, and a unique historical experience to deepen participants’ understanding of this pivotal amendment. 

The seminar begins Friday night where participants will meet Frederick Douglass and hear his perspective on the 14th Amendment’s radical calibration of the American experiment. Saturday begins with a lecture by a leading constitutional historian, tracing the 14th Amendment’s origins in the post-Civil War era. The presentation examines its drafting, ratification, and core principles—citizenship, due process, and equal protection—while highlighting its role in reshaping American law and society. Teachers will gain context for integrating these concepts into their curricula. 

It also features facilitated group discussions analyzing landmark Supreme Court cases, such as Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, and United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Participants will explore how the 14th Amendment has been interpreted over time, debating its application to issues like segregation, marriage equality, and civil rights. Primary source documents and guided questions will foster critical thinking and classroom-ready strategies. 

The seminar concludes with a guided tour of the Union League of Philadelphia’s historic collection, featuring Civil War-era artifacts and documents related to the Reconstruction period. This immersive experience connects teachers with tangible history, inspiring innovative ways to teach the 14th Amendment’s legacy. 

This seminar equips educators with knowledge, resources, and practical tools to engage students in meaningful discussions about constitutional history.

Thanks to a generous donor, Founding Forward will provide a $150 stipend to every accepted teacher to help offset expenses related to attending a Founding Forward professional development seminar. Upon completion of the program, teachers will receive a $150 check to help cover travel, childcare, or any other expenses they might incur. 

Accepted teachers receive a scholarship to attend the program, which covers the cost of the program, hotel room, program materials, site visits, most meals, and more.