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Justice
Teaching Institute
In
1998, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida collaborated
with Miami-Dade's Public School System to develop curricula
designed to shape the way we teach our youth about the American
legal system. The Court's Justice Teaching Institute (JTI)
was designed to perpetuate this ongoing partnership by preparing
teachers in the instruction of law-related education in their
schools. Drawing upon the resources and expertise of judges
and lawyers at the local and state levels, the day-long program
features workshops, panel discussions, case studies and role-playing
to address the following topics: technology and the Internet;
society and the law; mediation; trial practice/mock trials;
the use of the Court as a community resource; and ethics,
public trust and confidence in the justice system.
The
Eleventh Judicial Circuit's of Florida's Justice Teaching
Institute, originally patterned after the Statewide
Justice Teaching Institute which is sponsored
by the Supreme Court of Florida, is believed to be the first
of its kind in the country to be developed at the local level.
Its main objectives include:
- Reaching
a greater number of students by using a "pyramid-approach"
which helps significantly impact the youth of our community,
and
- Empowering
our youth with the values of responsibility, civility, communication
and respect as members of the community.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Justice Teaching Institute
What
grade levels and schools does the Justice Teaching Institute
(JTI) serve?
The
Justice Teaching Institute serves public school teachers of
kindergarten through 12th grade.
Do
public school teachers receive in-service credit for participating
in the JTI?
Yes.
The Miami-Dade Public School System has agreed to provide
in-service credit for all teachers participating in the JTI.
Can
private school teachers participate in the JTI?
Yes.
It is our goal to expand the JTI to include private school
teachers K-12 in order to empower all of our youth in the
community.
What
is a typical agenda for the Justice Teaching Institute?
The
day-long program begins with the distribution of materials,
followed by a slide show during which Chief Judge Joseph P.
Farina offers a general and factual orientation called "Legal
System 101." During this presentation, questions are encouraged
as the Chief Judge outlines the structure of the state court
system and specifically focuses on the structure of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit of Florida, its separate and distinct divisions,
and the types of cases filed in each division. The participants
are then divided into groups and during the next two hours,
rotate among the different mini-seminars so that they may
attend each workshop. The workshops generally include:
1.
"Surfing the net" on individual computers to identify and
learn to use educational law-related web sites, and practice
using an educational CD-Rom program entitled "We The People";
2. Understanding the difference between trial practice and
alternative dispute resolution during which the participants
"try a case" before a judge and then determine the outcome
with a mediator;
3.
Understanding one's constitutional rights.
The
lunch hour features a Florida Supreme Court Justice or former
Justice discussing topics such as ethics, public trust and
confidence, and the importance of an independent judiciary.
Following
lunch, teachers learn the case study method by reading and
then "trying" a Supreme Court case that has set a precedent
in our history. Participants learn how to teach the case study
method through reviewing the actual case with a teacher's
study guide. The final session varies. Typically, this may
include: presentations by lawyers about community resources;
"Law and Media" in which judges review headline stories and
the legal principles behind them; and discussion by graduates
of the Institute of lesson plans that have worked for them
as a result of attending the program. Finally, the teachers
are asked to evaluate the sessions. At the conclusion of the
Institute, the teachers receive certificates of participation.
What
role does mediation play in the JTI's curriculum?
The
JTI prepares teachers on how to use mediation as a way to
identify and resolve disputes between students, students and
teachers or administrators, and students and family members.
It is an extremely effective method of helping students learn
how to resolve disputes in a nonviolent manner.
What
is the cost for attending the Program?
There
is no fee for participants to attend the JTI.
How
often is the JTI offered?
The
JTI is offered 2-3 times a year.
What
is the Partners Program?
This
program "partners" JTI graduates with judges and lawyers who
have volunteered to work with a specific school and offers
the teacher resource materials and legal information and support.
The commitment from both partners is to have an ongoing relationship
throughout the year so that members of the legal community
will serve as liaisons for all existing and anticipated law
related programs at that teacher's school. Guest speakers
are also provided through the Court's Speaker's Bureau for
career day presentations and other classroom activities.
How
is the JTI funded?
The
Institute gratefully acknowledges funding and in-kind contributions
from the Florida Law Related Education Association (a private,
non-profit corporation established by Florida state law);
the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Miami-Dade Public
School System. Of the remaining expenses, the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit of Florida donates the time of professional, technical
and custodial employees and provides for printing, office
supplies, photocopying, coffee supplies, microphones, podiums
and miscellaneous items.
Who
do I contact for further information about the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit of Florida's Justice Teaching Institute?
Please
contact Vivian Gonzalez, Court Education Coordinator, Office
of Government Liaison and Public Relations by phone at 305-349-8888.
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