Nicholas Augustine and Brian Arenz

Augustine’s and Arenz’s innovative teaching idea, “Campaign Competition,” will benefit their American Government class that they co-teach. As part of the discussion on the Executive Branch, students will identify the characteristics of a successful political leader and then research a candidate they support for the 2016 election. They will use the knowledge they obtain to develop a functioning campaign within the academic setting. Students will finance their election through "donation checks" obtained from administrators, faculty and students. The collected finances will then pay for advertising, information, and staff assistance. The students will conclude their campaign with a debate and a school-wide vote to determine who wins the election.