by Jen Myers
Butler Middle School 8th grade Civics teacher Aaron King will be headed to Maine this summer. Not to scarf down an awesome lobster roll, visit Portland’s zany Cryptozoology Museum, or visit with fellow Mr. King – Stephen. He has been chosen as one of just a dozen teachers across the country to attend The Civic Summer Institute for Learning and Teaching, a week-long seminar hosted by Harvard University’s Democratic Knowledge Project at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia.
We reached out to Mr. King to learn a little more about him and what he hopes to gain from this experience.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Tewksbury. However, my first significant job was here in Lowell at Showcase Cinemas, just around the corner from the Butler. Working there and meeting community members sparked a love for the city of Lowell and its people that I continue to carry with me.
Q: Where did you go to high school and college? What was your major?
A: I went to Tewksbury High School and felt pretty lost there. I took a good amount of time off between high school and college. During that time, I did a lot of soul-searching and discovered my love of engaging with and educating others, especially our young people. I attended Bunker Hill Community College for my associate’s and then graduated from the UMass Lowell with a degree in History knowing I wanted to turn that into a career in education.
Q: When did you start teaching at the Butler?
A: I first started at the Butler as a substitute teacher and fell in love with the students and staff. I was offered a paraprofessional position for the following year and really threw myself at the work. When the year ended, I was offered a position as an 8th Grade ELA teacher for the 2017-2018 year and jumped at the opportunity. My first year of teaching was a true struggle. That year my wife Rebecca and I welcomed our son, Parker, who was born with Autosomal Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD.) I felt nothing but love and support for myself and my little family during that difficult time and it really cemented my place within the Butler community. The following year, we had an 8th Grade Civics opening and I made the shift to Civics, knowing the subject area would allow me to spread my wings and would fuel my passion for teaching. The Butler community has so much heart and I really love being part of it.
Q: What interests you about Civics?
A: Voice. Everyone, regardless of background, has a seat at the table and that’s essential to a fully functional democracy. I think America is great but it still has a long way to go to truly live up to the ideals our founders wrote into America’s founding documents and I think the young people of today see that now, more than ever.
Q: Why is it important to teach Civics?
A: At 13, all you want is to be heard. I have the luxury of teaching a class that allows for just that. Beyond that, our young people are exposed to so many different viewpoints and narratives any given day and making sense of it call can be tough. I know for adults it’s often difficult to sort through the noise and see the real picture. Helping our students make sense of, and empowering them to participate in the world around them is vital.
Q: Share a Civics education highlight from your years at the Butler
A: One of my favorite things about teaching Civics is watching students see the impact of their work, or realizing that they have a say. During our Generation Citizen projects, whole classes discuss, debate, and build consensus with one another which is an excellent skill to have. More than that, at the grassroots level, it’s always thrilling when a student is able to get on the phone with an elected official to discuss an issue they care about. The way they light up when they realize that their voice can make an impact is unrivaled.
Q: What are you looking to gain from attending this seminar?
A: More than anything I’m looking to find techniques, resources, and ideas that I may not have been exposed to before. I’m excited to meet with a community of educators to discuss ways to engage our students in an authentic way that speaks to them. At the end of the day, my goal is to foster civically engaged young people and authenticity is key. Students need to be able to see themselves in the work, and I’m hoping to find new strategies to do just that.
Q: How would you like to see Civics education change or expand in Lowell?
A: I’d really love to hear more student voice at the school and district levels when it comes to decision-making. At the end of the day, our students are the largest stakeholders within our LPS community and often their voices are overlooked by the adults in charge. Butler has started a great community of student voice which allows them to feel seen and heard. If we want to foster civic engagement in our young people, it’s best to start early and let them see the impact on the ground floor in the places they’re most invested.
