Celebrating Success: ‘Becoming Active Citizens’ Wins the 2023 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Education!

We are thrilled to announce that, “Becoming Active Citizens: Practices to Engage Students in Civic Education Across the Curriculum,” authored by EdTechTeacher’s Tom Driscoll and Shawn McCusker, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Education! This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work that went into creating a resource aimed at empowering students to become active participants in their communities and societies.

Engaging students in civic education is more crucial than ever before. In an era marked by rapid social and technological changes, fostering active citizenship has become a pressing need. “Becoming Active Citizens” addresses this challenge head-on, providing practical strategies and innovative approaches to integrating civic education across various disciplines.

What sets “Becoming Active Citizens” apart is its emphasis on promoting civic engagement across the entire curriculum. Recognizing that citizenship education should not be confined to a single subject, this book offers educators a comprehensive toolkit to infuse civic learning into diverse academic areas. By harnessing the power of interdisciplinary instruction, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deep understanding of democratic principles.

The book’s effectiveness lies in its actionable advice and engaging activities that empower students to become active participants in their communities. With thoughtfully designed lesson plans, reflective exercises, and case studies from successful civic education programs, “Becoming Active Citizens” equips educators with the tools needed to cultivate informed, responsible, and compassionate citizens.

The Foreword INDIES Book Awards recognize outstanding independent publications, celebrating the creative achievements of authors, illustrators, and publishers worldwide. This award underscores the value and impact “Becoming Active Citizens” and effective citizenship education can have in schools.  

As the authors of “Becoming Active Citizens,” we are deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition. Our aim has always been to empower educators with the knowledge and resources needed to foster active citizenship in their classrooms. This award serves as an affirmation of our mission and encourages us to continue our work in making civic education accessible, engaging, and relevant to students everywhere.

We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Foreword INDIES Book Awards, the judging panel, and our readers for their unwavering support. Together, let us inspire a new generation of active citizens who are equipped to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities of our complex and interconnected world.


Interested in learning more from Tom and Shawn about Civics Education and/or having them work with your school? Just let us know, we are happy to help! We have worked with schools across the nation to help them enhance civics education and also help teachers meet new state civics requirement. Email us at [email protected] to learn more.


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