Teachers from Indiana, Iowa, and Florida Receive American Civic Education Teacher Awards
2026 American Civic Education Teacher Award winners Derrick Johnson (left), Shauna Cihacek (middle), and Kaylea Dominguez (right).
National Award Recognizes Excellence in Teaching the U.S. Constitution and American Government
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 15, 2026 – Three teachers from Florida, Iowa, and Indiana are the recipients of the 2026 American Civic Education Teacher Awards (ACETA), recognizing their exemplary work preparing young people to put the principles of constitutional democracy into practice. This year's selection committee was especially proud to honor outstanding educators across all grade levels — one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school teacher — reflecting a commitment to recognizing civic excellence at every stage of a student's education.
The 2026 ACETA winners are Derrick Johnson, a high school teacher from Miami, Florida; Shauna Cihacek, a middle school teacher from Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Kaylea Dominguez, an elementary school teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana. The educators will be featured in a special webinar on October 22, 2026, part of the Center for Civic Education’s 2026–27 professional learning series, and will participate in a panel at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference (Dec. 4-6) in Chicago.
The ACETA awards recognize teachers of civics, government, and related subjects who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism, and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, U.S. government, and public policy. ACETA, established in 2006, is sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, the Center on Representative Government at Indiana University, and the National Education Association.
Dr. Donna Phillips, president and CEO of the Center for Civic Education, praised the 2026 class. "These three educators remind us that civic learning doesn't begin in high school — it begins the moment a child starts to understand their place in their community and their country. Our winners exemplify the much needed commitment to the continually practice of civic learning throughout each student’s educational journey," Phillips said.
Derrick Johnson — High School, Miami, Florida
Derrick Johnson is a veteran civic educator with 21 years of experience teaching AP U.S. Government, Constitutional Law, Criminology, and Debate at Hialeah Gardens High School. A former practicing attorney, Johnson coaches the We the People program and has worked across grade levels to strengthen civic learning throughout his community. His student body is approximately 97% Hispanic or Latino.
"Citizenship is not a concept I teach only in theory; it is practiced daily. As a teacher of constitutional law and government, my purpose extends beyond delivering content—I prepare students to become informed, engaged participants in our democracy. Johnson wrote in his educator self-portrait.
Shauna Cihacek — Middle School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Shauna Cihacek is a 25-year veteran who teaches 8th Grade U.S. History at Gerald W. Kirn Middle School. A Madison Fellow, Barringer Fellow, C-SPAN presenter, and published educator, she leads National History Day for students across her district's entire 6–12 grade span. Cihacek draws on her Native American heritage to bring Indigenous history to life for her students, extending her civic mission through community service that reaches both Native and non-Native populations.
"In the middle school classroom, teaching the complexities of the U.S. Constitution and the structure of
government can be a challenge” read one of Cihacek’s administrator recommendations. “However, Ms. Cihacek excels at transforming abstract political philosophies into tangible, engaging experiences. Students do not just memorize constitutional amendments; they analyze how these foundational principles impact their daily lives and responsibilities."
Kaylea Dominguez — Elementary School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Kaylea Dominguez teaches 5th grade at Kitley Intermediate School in the Franklin Township Community School Corporation. Dominguez has accumulated an impressive set of accomplishments in her early career, by using mock elections, legislative simulations, and student-centered activities to help even the youngest learners see themselves as participants in civic life. Her selection reflects the committee's conviction that civic education is a lifelong practice that must take root early.
"No list of titles or achievements can fully capture the magic of her classroom.” wrote one of her peer recommendations. “Kaylea’s lessons are dynamic, differentiated, and interdisciplinary, utilizing story-telling and narratives to captivate students. She also provides many opportunities throughout the year for PBL: Wax Museums, “Break-Up” Letters, Legislative Branch Simulations, and Voting Booths, to name a few." Her peer continued, “She believes her knowledge and practice have the power to change the world. As I watch her make our community better, one child, and one class at a time, I too find myself to be a believer.”
The ACETA program (civiced.org/aceta) selects three teachers whose students represent the depth and richness of America's public and private schools. Applicants must be full-time K–12 classroom teachers. The application is free and opens each spring.
About the Sponsoring Organizations
The Center for Civic Education (www.civiced.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to fostering the development of informed, responsible participation in civic life by citizens committed to values and principles fundamental to American constitutional democracy.
The Center on Representative Government (corg.iu.edu) is a nonpartisan educational institution that believes our nation’s great experiment of representative democracy has served us well for more than 200 years, but it fundamentally rests on an informed electorate that understands our system of government and participates in our civic life.
The National Education Association (www.nea.org) is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
Media Contact
Patrice Snow
Center for Civic Education, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
803-317-1181
psnow@civiced.org
