Teaching the Foundations of American Democracy
A Talk with Peter Levine, a national leader in civic education
SPI records and shares first-person narratives that bring history, science, the arts, and civic life into focus for students. Our approach is simple: let young people hear directly from the people whose work and experience shape the world around us. Complex ideas become more relatable, and students are invited to connect knowledge with lived experience.
With funds made available by the Putnam Foundation and through the generosity of private donors, SPI will expand its collection in civics education with a recording featuring Peter Levine, Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Tufts University and chair of Educating for American Democracy. Professor Levine is a nationally recognized leader in civic learning and youth engagement.
His recording, scheduled for October 20, 2025, will help students understand the structure and functions of government while also highlighting pivotal moments in history when democracy was tested and ordinary people came together to reinforce its principles.
Professor Levine will also address the “nuts-and-bolts” skills young people need today: how communities are organized, how coalitions are formed, and how citizens work together to effect change.
In conjunction with this, SPI has been in conversation with the Linley Foundation about their The America I Want Is… project and the Twinfield Democracy Project in Vermont, led by teacher Chris Sheehan. (SPI encourages readers to view Twinfield’s embedded video.) These projects connect civic learning with creative expression and classroom practice. Together with Professor Levine’s recording, these civics-focused initiatives will provide teachers with high-quality resources and give students meaningful ways to deepen their learning.
Through SPI’s Over the Moon online student art gallery, we will be asking students to share visual responses to prompts such as “The America I Want Is…”. This extends civic learning into personal expression and gives students a public platform to share their vision.
By linking Peter’s expertise with creative, student-facing opportunities, SPI aims to make civics education not only accessible but inspiring—helping students connect knowledge, history, and democratic practice in ways that resonate in their own lives.
About Story Preservation
Our Mission: Story Preservation Initiative believes in the transformative power of story to connect people around our common humanity and create a better future.
Our Work: We are a leading producer and online distributor of original, content-rich audio-based narratives for K-12 students. SPI stories are the raw materials of history, roadmaps to scientific discovery, and windows to the minds of artists and skilled tradesmen and women.
What We Achieve: SPI brings listeners into personal contact with extraordinary people whose stories engage their hearts and minds, imparting content knowledge and fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking as they open doors to possible career paths in professions associated with the arts, sciences, humanities, and skilled trades. We are fully open-source.
When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.
Visit us here www.storypreservation.org