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Turn Students Into Podcasters and Teach the Fundamentals of Democracy at the Same Time
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Tristin Koch, Social Studies Teacher, North Arvada Middle School (CO); and Rachel Roberson, Senior Program Manager, Education Content, KQED
Sponsored by KQED
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If you’re looking for a way to reignite middle and high school students’ interest in democracy, all while tapping their love of podcasts and media, this edWebinar is for you! Join favorite presenter Rachel Roberson from KQED Education for the introduction of a new civic media unit, created by social studies teachers in partnership with KQED. Then hear from social studies teacher Tristin Koch, who piloted the unit with her eighth graders in the fall. She shares how thematic study of Constitution principles and historic case studies, combined with a podcasting project, helped students build their civic voices and connect the nation’s founding documents to their own lives and experiences.
Viewers explore the extensive resources available in the new, free Podcasting Democracy: Understanding the Constitution to Inspire Civic Change curriculum and listen to student-created podcast examples. Rachel also previews the extensive lineup of free curriculum resources available, including daily lesson slides, formative checkpoints, and graphic organizers. When you teach this unit, your students will connect their voices to the proud American tradition of civic advocacy. And yes, their skills in historical thinking and media literacy will get a boost as well.
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to middle and high school teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, and curriculum directors.
About the Presenters
Tristin Koch teaches middle school in Jefferson County Schools, where she continues to serve as an educator in a Title 1 school, North Arvada Middle School. For the past two decades, she has focused on research-based literacy practices in the social sciences. Currently, she is teaching Western Hemisphere Studies, Eastern Hemisphere Studies, and Early American History. She is a Fulbright Scholar, Barringer Fellow, and Gilder Lehrman Grant recipient, and continues to embrace new opportunities to grow. In addition to piloting the KQED Podcasting Democracy middle school unit, Tristin has contributed to the success of the iCivics Educating for America Democracy by piloting, reviewing, and mentoring inquiry-based learning to teachers around the country. When time allows, Tristin is either volunteering in her community, traveling abroad, or spending time with family.
Rachel Roberson is an experienced teacher leader and curriculum content developer who has served as a classroom teacher and administrator at public, charter, and international schools. Rachel specializes in professional learning facilitation and curriculum development, strategy, and implementation. At KQED, she works to connect educators and students to KQED online education sites, KQED Teach and the Youth Media Challenge, by creating humanities curricula and professional learning content, supporting product development, championing youth-created media in and out of the classroom, and leading projects and partnerships focused on teachers and classrooms. Rachel is a graduate of Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, received her California teaching credential in secondary English and social studies from Mills College, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the K-12 Social Studies and Civics community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
KQED is a nonprofit, public media station and NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco. As a leader in media innovation, KQED provides free, standards-aligned classroom content and professional development that educators can trust. Our workshops and courses help educators in all roles, subjects, and grades strengthen their media literacy skills, empower youth voices, and encourage civil discourse.
