Trial Lawyers Section hosts 'law school' for teachers.

Democracy thrives on the dynamic tension between co-equal branches of government. But some legal scholars are worried that appreciation for the bedrock principle is being threatened by political polarization, shrinking attention spans, or apathy.

Advocates say education --especially about the little-understood judiciary--is a potential solution. It's one reason some 120 middle and high school civics and social studies teachers flocked to the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee in January for the Seventh Annual Teachers Law School.

Sponsored by The Florida Bar's Trial Lawyers Section, the event featured two days of workshops and guest speakers, including U.S. District Judge John Antoon II; former Florida Bar President Bill Schifino; and Miami trial lawyer Benedict Kuehne, counsel to Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 presidential recount.

Veteran Teachers Law School organizer Wes Smith says that while the topics may touch on famous political controversies, Teachers Law School is non-partisan and is not an indictment of Florida schools.

"Social studies teachers are doing a good job," Smith said. "I just think we needed young people to become more interested in how the legal system in the United States functions."

Smith says the goal is to inspire teachers to excite their students about the functions of government, the importance of the judiciary and legal advocacy, and the challenges and rewards of public service. Organizers cover the teachers' travel and accommodation costs and the teachers earn continuing education credits and certificates of completion.

While the words "excite" and "social science" don't often appear in the same sentence, Smith says one speaker--Kuehne--was mobbed by teachers demanding selfies after a workshop. A handful of teachers who attended previous workshops drove hundreds of miles to attend this year's event.

The first Teachers Law School drew only 30 participants when it was held seven years ago. The event has grown so popular, organizers are now considering capping participation.

Rachel Slone, president of the Florida Association of Social Studies Supervisors, considers the Teachers Law School an unqualified success and "an amazing experience ... from start to finish."

"You could really tell the people who presented it researched our curriculum," Slone said. "He was using cases that were from our end-of-course exam."

One workshop taught the fundamentals of creating a mock trial competition, the result of feedback...