Some of Ohio’s teachers got a hands-on lesson in state government through Ohio Government In Action sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE).

Designed for teachers by teachers, the two-day interactive program took participants like Melissa Kendralla of Westland High School in Galloway behind the scenes of Ohio’s government to interact with leaders in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

“These are the things that teachers can’t get out of a text book or off of the internet. This is engaging, and I take that practice back to my classroom and hopefully can kind of recreate that experience for my students and get them excited about learning and about the government,” Kendralla said.

The program included courtroom simulations, meetings with state lawmakers, and lunch with Supreme Court justices, where Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor welcomed the teachers to the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

“You have my respect, my admiration and my gratitude for participating in this conference and taking what you’ve learned about the three branches of government back to your classrooms,” Chief Justice O’Connor remarked.

The teachers left Columbus with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources to take back to the classroom.

“Every year teachers report back to us that they have such insight that they have gained from participation in this program that they otherwise wouldn’t have, and that insight and experience translates directly to those students,” according to OCLRE Executive Director Lisa Eschleman.

OCLRE is celebrating 30 years of programming that promotes law and citizenship education.