Democracy needs civics education to rebuild community connection.

A teacher in Cuba, Illinois, describes students learning civic skills by interviewing local elders, and notes the Smithsonian's Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange connected nearly 4,000 students across 30 states.

I sat with students in Jule's Coffee Shop in Cuba, Illinois, while they interviewed retired educators and longtime residents. Those conversations with local elders, including a 100-year-old former miner and World War II veteran named Peck, became practice in listening, storytelling, and civic engagement. The author links these relationship-based experiences to a broader concern that Gen Z spends nearly 1,000 fewer hours per year in face-to-face interaction than prior generations. The piece explores programs and partnerships that connect students across communities and wrap supports around rural schools. What happened: - Students interviewed retired educators and longtime residents at Jule's Coffee Shop, including a 100-year-old former miner and World War II veteran named Peck. - The interviews helped students practice listening, learn local history, and engage in cross-generational conversation as civic skills. - The author reports that Gen Z spends nearly 1,000 fewer hours of face-to-face time each year than previous generations. - The Smithsonian's Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange engaged nearly 4,000 students across 30 states over 18 months and four semesters. - After the interviews, students partnered with senior center volunteers, helped care for a veterans memorial, and discussed community careers. - Some districts, including Vienna, Illinois, are building partnerships with neighboring schools and organizations to provide wrap-around supports for students. Summary: The article connects relationship-centered classroom activities to strengthened civic skills and a greater sense of belonging in rural students. It highlights virtual exchanges and local partnerships as examples the author observed or used in the classroom. The author frames broader adoption and sustained support for such programs as the next developments needed.