Hamilton County judges visit local schools for Constitution Day

Courtroom lessons bring the U.S. Constitution to life for students

Hamilton County judges spent time in classrooms throughout the county the past two weeks teaching kids about the United States Constitution. Sept. 17 is Constitution Day – which commemorates the signing of the nation’s founding document in 1787. The Indiana Supreme Court encourages judges and attorneys to use the day as an opportunity for civic education.

On Sept. 15, newly appointed Magistrate Judge Sarah Shields visited a kindergarten class at Geist Elementary School where she introduced students – including her son – to the role of judges and magistrates. She followed that up with a trip to LeafSpring School in Fishers on Sept. 16 where she read to preschoolers – including her daughter.

“The Constitution can feel big and complicated, but even young kids understand the idea of rules and fairness,” Judge Shields said. “It was fun to show them that judges are here to help with that.”

Court Commissioner Christopher Barrows also presented on Sept. 16. He spoke to more than 800 eighth-grade social studies students at Westfield Middle School.

“Eighth grade is the perfect age to start connecting the dots between history and real life,” Barrows said. “The students had great questions, and you could tell they were really thinking about how the Constitution applies to their lives.”

Finally, Superior Court Judge David Najjar visited Geist Montessori Academy on Sept. 22 where he helped third- and fourth-grade students stage a mock trial of Goldilocks v. The Three Bears. Students took on roles as jurors, attorneys, a bailiff, and a court reporter.

“When students get to be the jurors or attorneys, it clicks for them that the Constitution is about real people making real decisions,” Judge Najjar said. “That hands-on experience sticks with them in a way a textbook never could.”