Orange Walk Teacher Wins US National Civics Award 

Two national civic education organisations have named Warren Early College High School teacher Juan Moguel America’s top high school civics educator in the latest Civic Star Challenge.

Moguel is a Belizean from San Lazaro, Orange Walk. He teaches social studies at the North Carolina school, and the Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics named him the winner of the grades nine to 12 category, with a US$5,000 prize.

He shares the round’s top honours with an elementary school teacher from Florida and a middle school teacher from Utah.

Last year, Moguel led his students to the title at the inaugural Eastern North Carolina Civics Bowl, hosted by Representative Rodney Pierce. He is also the school’s Teacher of the Year.

Principal Shena Judkins told The Warren Record that his work goes beyond the classroom, stating,, “Mr. Moguel is helping students build the confidence to contribute to conversations that shape their communities.”

The Civic Star Challenge rewards teachers who link the principles of the Declaration of Independence to students’ lives through civic action, media literacy, and debate and dialogue. Organisers created the challenge to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.