Regardless of political beliefs, Robert Waterson, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction/Literacy Studies and director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship Education at West Virginia University, says political discourse about a president’s speech about education can be an important teaching tool in classrooms.

Waterson – whose areas of expertise include social studies and civic education, teacher education and curriculum development – is available to speak about the role of civic literacy in educating a new generation of citizens. He may be reached at 304-293-3849 or robert.waterson@mail.wvu.edu.