I stumbled across Citizenship Counts when trying to contact the organization's founder, Gerda Weissman Klein. Upon connecting with the Executive Director, I learned more about the program and it truly resonated with me. As a teacher in a rural border community in Texas, we teach our students about immigration and it can be very tricky to navigate the the discussions without political banter (from the students). I was elated after reviewing the lesson materials that Citizenship Counts provides free-of-charge; this is exactly the type of curricula that is needed in our small border town, as well as in large urban communities!
Unfortunately Mrs. Klein is unable to travel to speak to my students, however I feel as if I still won in some regard--I am able to carry her legacy forward by sharing her personal triumphant story of survival and coming to the United States which really struck a chord with my students. Thank you Mrs. Klein and Citizenship Counts for this impactful program and we hope to hold a citizenship ceremony in our auditorium in the near future.
I first heard about Citizenship Counts nearly 10 years ago when a handful of their board members and staff embarked on a 3000 mile bike ride across the country to promote civic education across the country. Our school was selected to host a citizenship ceremony to welcome new people from throughout the Chicagoland area. Our school administration worked closely with the Citizenship Counts staff to create a memorable and impactful event for all parties involved. Their staff was very professional, responsible, creative and helpful in navigating the entire event from start to finish. A few of their staff even attended our ceremony and helped us garner local media coverage.
All of these years later our faculty still uses the curriculum and talks about about how the ceremony is one of the best events we have ever held on campus! We were so humbled to hear Mrs. Gerta Weissmann Klein share her story of what the United States of America means to her. We admire Citizenship Counts for bringing Americans together and creating an opportunity to unite all of us as proud Americans!
In November 2012, I attended NCSS's annual conference where Citizenship Counts Founder Gerda Weissman Klein spoke about her passion for this country. I have never forgetten her poignant words and pride for the United States. The conference included a citizenship ceremony which provided all attendees an opportunity to witness how individuals become naturalized citizens.
As a social studies curriculum specialist, I was extremely impressed with the innovative concept of providing schools the ability to hold ceremonies on campus. In addition, the educational materials created by this organization are aligned and relevant to high school civics/government classes. I have shared this program with many colleagues. Now more than ever, we need to embrace Mrs. Weissman Klein's words and be proud of what this country stands for. Thank you Citizenship Counts for creating a nonpartisan way to make it acceptable to show pride for the USA!!
I have attended a dozen or more USCIS citizenship ceremonies, most at schools which prepared their students for this unique experience. Many of the students reported that it was a significant moment in their lives as young citizens of the US.
As director of education, I have been adding new activities to our curriculum and seeking ways to make citizenship Counts relevant even when we cannot hold ceremonies in schools as we have in the past, due to the pandemic.
I helped with the formation of this non profit over 10 years ago, believing passionately that the founders had a story that would resonate with the public relating to American citizenship and the rights, privileges and responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship.
Since inception, Citizenship Counts has been true to its mission to inform and celebrate the diversity and multi-pluralism in our country. The organization is the only civic organization to bring the experience of the naturalization ceremony into our schools. Citizenship Counts has reached out to thousands of students in over 40 states. Proud to be associated!
For fourteen years I directed the Law Youth and Citizenship Program of the New York State Bar Association and State Education Department of the State of York. The goal of the program was to promote citizenship and law-related education so that young people would understand the role of a citizen, their rights and responsibilities, and its import to the individual, community and our nation. Citizenship Counts does just that and gives students an opportunity to celebrate citizenship by engaging in a naturalization ceremony or participating in a community-wide celebration of citizenship. This is a non profit organization that does make a difference and why I support it. I strongly encourage schools, teachers, students and the community to get involved with Citizenship Counts.
As both a parent and educator I am thankful for innovative programming such as Citizenship Counts. My daughter's high school has used this program and her classmates and her were all very engaged in the lessons & activities.
My daughter was excited to share the story of how her paternal grandparents came to this country to seek better career opportunities and build a better life for their family. Her favorite aspect of the lesson was taking the citizenship test as she studied for it and was proud that she only missed one question. This real-life scenario taught her so much academically as well as personally. She felt as if she was going through the process herself and she even wore a U.S. flag pin for good luck when she took the test.
There is so much negativity surrounding immigration and sadly it has become politicized. Citizenship Counts teaches content and strategies that help high school students understand what this country stands for and why people come from all over the world. Simply put, there's no place that offers a chance to start over and be the master of your destiny.
This is a smaller non-profit with an impactful agenda. Citizenship Counts is one of the only organizations that work with Immigration Services to have naturalization ceremonies at schools and community locales (pre-pandemic). This is a great opportunity for students to see the naturalization process first hand. Citizenship Counts also provides humanities resources for teachers and students all across the country free of charge. What's even more impactful is that Citizenship Counts was founded by Gerda Weissmann Klein, Holocaust survivor, author and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, who champions the value and responsibilities of American Citizenship
I became a naturalized citizen on February 11, 1983 and still remember that day like it was yesterday. My son recently began asking questions about our ancestry so I began to research online materials to teach him about the immigration process. One of the best resources I found was this program--the lessons are relevant, yet comprehensive. I recommended it to my son's social studies teacher and she was thrilled. I am proud to say his middle school has used the Citizenship Counts project for 3 years. Thank you for creating this program as it encouraged me to share my proud journey to America with others. I hope to speak at another ceremony again soon.
As we were looking transitioning to remote learning last spring, my social studies specialist found this program during a Google search. The materials are easy downloadable, comprehensive, and creative. We hope that we can apply for a ceremony next year if the Immigration Service Department will permit us to do so. Thank you for educating our 11th graders about the benefits of immigration as I feel like the negatives are always highlighted. These lessons are a breath of fresh air.
During this critical time when our country needs to unite and heal from all of the strife, I discovered this program founded by one of the most renowned people on the planet, Gerda Weismann Klein. My principal encourages us as educators to seek out innovative and out of the box programming; Citizenship Counts not only meets but exceeds our standards on both fronts. Thank you Mrs. Klein and Citizenship Counts for helping me teach my students the important lessons about acceptance and diversity.
Citizenship Counts is a valuable program that highlights the naturalization process and showcases how welcoming this country has been and continues to be to immigrants. I have circled the globe both for work and pleasure and there is no place I would rather live than right here in the United States!!
I wish we had more educational initiatives like this one that are uplifting and create unity, not divisiveness. I was honored to attend a ceremony hosted at my local high school and wish all students had the same opportunity as it really puts things into perspective for all in attendance. Kudos to Gerda Weissman Klein for her vision!
Thank you Citizenship Counts for making my citizenship day so special. The student artwork and singing was a perfect welcome to my new home country. I am now proud American and hope other new citizens can have the same memorable ceremony like me. I will never forget your warmth and hospitality for me and my family.
Founded by Medal of Freedom recipient, Gerda Weissmann Klein, Citizenship Counts, provides a civic education curriculum which is aligned to all US state standards. With easy to use lesson plans, Citizenship Counts invites the youth of America to respect the immigration process as it relates to the history and cultural diversity of our country.
The culminating activity of witnessing a naturalization ceremony and watching the new citizens take the Oath of Allegiance to the US is a never to be forgotten experience. Citizenship Counts promotes a life time of civic responsibility and inspires community involvement.
My former students always ask, "Are you still hosting naturalization ceremonies? Don't ever stop!" Thanks to Citizenship Counts, I will not!
As a parent and former educator, I believe this program does an incredible job of teaching students to take pride in our country. Immigrants comprise nearly 15% of our population and it is important that we tell their stories and highlight the many important contributions they made and continue to make in our country. Thank you Citizenship Counts for focusing on the positive aspects of citizenship!!!
Organization has excellent resources for teachers to enhance their civic education curriculum as well as help prepare students to take the required testing to graduate. They are also the only organization that works directly with Immigration Services to bring nationalization ceremonies to schools and communities.
I wish a project like Citizenship Counts existed when I was in high school. Its messaging about respecting and appreciating citizenship is timeless and one that is so desparately needed today. Last year I had the privilege of watching a citizenship ceremony at our local high school. I was moved to tears by the beauty of this multi-generational and multi-cultural event. I hope to volunteer the next time that a ceremony is in our community.
Programs like Citizenship Counts are needed now more than ever. Our country is at a serious divide. It is imperative that we teach students to take pride in their citizenship and respect people of varying backgrounds, race, religion, and political persuasion. Thank you for creating lessons and projects where the students' learning takes on a new dimension. I hope schools across the country use Citizenship Counts. Its turn key and ready can be downloaded and used in a classroom the very same day!
This incredible organization was founded by one of my heros, Gerda Weissmann Klein. I support and believe in anything with her name attached to it as she is a role model and true inspiration! Thank you for creating this wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the importance of their citizenship!
Thank you Citizenship Counts for your innovative and creative programming. She especially loved the Foreign Country Studies unit because she was able to research the government, culture, and economy of Brazil. She even baked a traditional cheese bread to share with her class. What an awesome way to teach about diversity and new cultures!!
Citizenship Counts, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me in the 11th hour when I needed educational materials to utilize today for Constitution Day!! We will use your lessons every year on September 17th!!
Citizenship Counts is an incredible program that was used at my son's school last year. He was very engaged with the various activities and lessons. His learning took on a new dimension when he and his classmates were able to participate in a citizenship ceremony at their school. They enjoyed meeting people from around the world and learning about their personal journeys to receive citizenship. I hope the program is used again in a few years when my younger son is in 10th grade.
As a a teacher of social studies and a member of our democracy, I am impressed with the work of Citizenship Counts. We all benefit from an educated citizenship.
I have had the privilege of observing the Citizenship Counts staff members work so efficiently and professionally with the USCIS and Federal Court officials to undertake meaningful naturalization ceremonies with junior high and high school students jointly celebrating with the new citizens and their families. Each of my experiences at these ceremonies is unique and meaningful.
Keep up the good work!
Citizenship Counts has inspired and supported my students to appreciate their responsibilities as citizens and to celebrate cultural diversity. Our middle school has been hosting a Citizenship Day for the last few years. The highlight of the event is a Naturalization Ceremony where fifty candidates from thirty countries take their oath of citizenship. Throughout the day, lessons designed by Citizenship Counts that are aligned to the Core Curriculum engage the seventh graders and support their learning.
Last year my son's school participated in this wonderful program. We live in a small community which usually doesn't have access to special programs and opportunities like this one. My son and his friends loved the naturalization ceremony and meeting people from all over the world as he said this inspired him to want to travel the world and help other people come to the U.S. so they can make their dreams come true. Thank you Citizenship Counts and Gerta Klein for this learning experience.
I worked with Gerda and her group on this when she visited Laredo. We collaborated with the local citizenship groups to have our students help with the citizenship ceremony. It was a wonderful experience. I would love to do it over and over again.
Citizenship Counts is a terrific organization that honors immigrants who choose to become naturalized citizens. The spirit of Gerda Weissman Klein and her undying love of being a naturalized American citizen speaks volumes about the organization, its intent and principles practiced at Citizenship Counts.
At a time when knowledge of good citizenship is so badly needed, schools across the nation in recent years have abandoned those courses that provided students with this vital knowledge. Citizenship Counts has in a sense more than filled this vital void by offering teachers and their students a comprehensive and relevant curriculum that ensures students who are fortunate to have taken it in both junior and senior high receive this vital knowledge. So far in such a short time this program has spread to over 150 schools across the nation. Its success is just one indication of its quality and effectiveness.
This is such an important issue, especially in today's environment . Our directors are so committed to making sure there are opportunities for all schools in the country to use the citizenship counts materials
Anything that Gerda Weissmann Klein is involved with is incredible! She is truly a great American hero who has inspired me and thousands of my students over the years. I am excited to integrate this program in my school next semester.
I love everything about Citizenship Counts! This organization is needed now more than ever. Its so important to teach our youth to cherish all of the freedoms we have and appreciate the freedoms we have so that they don't take it for granted. The lessons are awesome as they focus on themes and lessons that are real-life and that students can really relate to. They are very interactive, innovative and easy to use! Kudos to Citizenship Counts!!
Citizenship Counts addresses the most momentous role we hold in society, that of citizen. It inspires students to become active and thoughtful participants in this democracy, and highlights the inspirational role of immgirants in our history and society.
Citizenship Counts is one of the most exciting, innovative and important civic learning programs in the nation. Citizenship Counts helps students understand and appreciate the immigration and naturalization process. The Program is very important to our youth understanding the many important contributions made by the successive waves of immigrants to the United States. Citizenship Counts is both effectively and efficiently managed. The service component of the Program is service learning at its finest. The Citizenship Counts Program makes very important contributions towards helping all young Americans develop the civic knowledge and skills necessary for engaged citizenship.
Ted McConnell
Executive Director
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools