Practicing Civic Engagement with Spencer Burrows, Pacific Ridge School

Spencer Burrows, Equity and Civic Engagement Coordinator at Pacific Ridge School (CA), shares how he’s making civics real for students through hands-on experiences like internships, advocacy trips, and direct engagement with local government. He discusses the creation of the Civic Leadership Academy, the importance of focusing on local issues to foster meaningful participation, and the development of essential soft skills—like communication and adaptability—throughout the program. Spencer also offers practical advice for schools looking to build or enhance their own civic engagement initiatives, all while navigating today’s polarized climate. You can find some related NAIS resources from this episode by visiting nais.org/membervoices.