Election season is upon us and it is tempting to focus on voting as the most important action a person can take to protect democracy. And indeed voting is critically important. But democratic societies are strengthened or degraded way before votes get cast. Learning how to live with and care for each other and the earth is a habit, and habits develop through practice. Schools should and can be one of the primary places where children and young adults learn this habit. 

In the SEMIS Coalition we use an approach called Place-Based Education (PBE). In PBE young people do not have to wait until they are 18 to get involved in their communities to practice democracy. They do not have to wait to exercise their voices to influence the wellbeing of their communities. They do not have to wait to work on teams and negotiate differences, to work through conflicts, and to care for each other. They do not have to wait to develop the leadership skills that enable each and every one of them to partner with others to create the communities of love and belonging that our society so desperately needs.

There is a reason why so many believe in the SEMIS Coalition and for the incredible support we have received to grow our work. At a time when democracy and the earth are under serious threats, our youth, teachers, and partners are not only imagining a better world, but creating that world with full hearts, deep thinking, and actions that matter. They are putting democracy into practice and from democratic practice comes a strong democracy.

With warm regards and appreciation for all that you bring to the SEMIS Coalition community,

Ethan