iCivics Celebrates First Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize Winner for Teaching Civics
On December 4, 2025, iCivics, a prominent civic education nonprofit organization, made headlines by announcing the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize for Excellence in Teaching Civics. This award is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Justice O'Connor, who played a pivotal role in founding iCivics after her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Shari Conditt, an exceptional U.S. history teacher at Woodland High School in Woodland, WA, has been acknowledged for her remarkable dedication to civic education. With a teaching career spanning 25 years, she specializes in Advanced Placement courses in Government and U.S. History, where her impact on her students is both profound and lasting.
This award was presented at the annual conference of the National Council for the Social Studies held in Washington, D.C., and it serves as a significant recognition of the effective teaching methods and civic engagement initiatives driven by educators within the iCivics network.
Conditt’s accolades prominently include her achievement as the National Board Certified Teacher, 2024 Bill of Rights Institute National Civics Teacher of the Year, 2016 Washington State History Teacher of the Year, and 2025 Ft. Vancouver Region SAR History Teacher of the Year. Her commitment to civic education not only enhances her students' understanding of democracy but also inspires them to actively participate in their communities.
The award is not just a token of recognition; it acknowledges exemplary members of the iCivics Educator Network, comprising over 300 civics, history, and social studies teachers known for their innovation, dedication, and excellence in teaching the foundations of democracy. Among the finalists for this distinguished prize were notable educators including Seth Harris from Shaker Middle School in Latham, NY, and Dr. Shelina Warren from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.
The creation of the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize comes at a pivotal time, just ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It was established by Justice O'Connor’s former law clerks to uphold her unwavering commitment to civic education, which she deemed her most essential legacy. Under her leadership, iCivics has blossomed into a supportive educational resource that reaches nearly 150,000 educators and influences about 9 million students annually across all 50 states and 80% of U.S. counties.
As a key figure in iCivics, Conditt embodies the spirit of the organization's mission, which is to cultivate informed and engaged citizens through free educational resources, including nonpartisan games and lesson plans aimed at teaching government, law, and civic participation.
Looking ahead, the finalists for the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize will be honored at the Civic Learning Week National Forum, set to take place in Philadelphia from March 9-10, 2026. This event will be a platform for discussing the essential role of civic education in nurturing the next generation of informed citizens.
For more information about iCivics and its initiatives, including the resources it offers to educators and students alike, visit www.icivics.org.
Shari Conditt, an exceptional U.S. history teacher at Woodland High School in Woodland, WA, has been acknowledged for her remarkable dedication to civic education. With a teaching career spanning 25 years, she specializes in Advanced Placement courses in Government and U.S. History, where her impact on her students is both profound and lasting.
This award was presented at the annual conference of the National Council for the Social Studies held in Washington, D.C., and it serves as a significant recognition of the effective teaching methods and civic engagement initiatives driven by educators within the iCivics network.
Conditt’s accolades prominently include her achievement as the National Board Certified Teacher, 2024 Bill of Rights Institute National Civics Teacher of the Year, 2016 Washington State History Teacher of the Year, and 2025 Ft. Vancouver Region SAR History Teacher of the Year. Her commitment to civic education not only enhances her students' understanding of democracy but also inspires them to actively participate in their communities.
The award is not just a token of recognition; it acknowledges exemplary members of the iCivics Educator Network, comprising over 300 civics, history, and social studies teachers known for their innovation, dedication, and excellence in teaching the foundations of democracy. Among the finalists for this distinguished prize were notable educators including Seth Harris from Shaker Middle School in Latham, NY, and Dr. Shelina Warren from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.
The creation of the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize comes at a pivotal time, just ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It was established by Justice O'Connor’s former law clerks to uphold her unwavering commitment to civic education, which she deemed her most essential legacy. Under her leadership, iCivics has blossomed into a supportive educational resource that reaches nearly 150,000 educators and influences about 9 million students annually across all 50 states and 80% of U.S. counties.
As a key figure in iCivics, Conditt embodies the spirit of the organization's mission, which is to cultivate informed and engaged citizens through free educational resources, including nonpartisan games and lesson plans aimed at teaching government, law, and civic participation.
Looking ahead, the finalists for the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize will be honored at the Civic Learning Week National Forum, set to take place in Philadelphia from March 9-10, 2026. This event will be a platform for discussing the essential role of civic education in nurturing the next generation of informed citizens.
For more information about iCivics and its initiatives, including the resources it offers to educators and students alike, visit www.icivics.org.
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