Educational Outreach
The Hauenstein Center's educational outreach program aims to welcome West Michigan educators and their students to join our community of learners devoted to the study of leadership, the humanities, and public policy by offering special opportunities to attend our community events and producing a curated collection of educational resources.
The Hauenstein Center is eager to partner with area administrators, educators, and student groups to bring our valuable programming to the next generation of ethical, effective leaders for the 21st century.
Quick Links
Educator Resources
Instructor Guides
These guides are designed to assist classroom teachers with detailed guidance on incorporating a former Hauenstein Center event recording into their curriculum. The instructor guide provides modular activities to fit any amount of classroom time, as well as recommended resources and questions.
Graphic Organizers
The Graphic Organizers can be assigned to students in alignment with the directions in the Instructor Guide and are meant to aid students as they watch the program. Educators are welcome to create a native copy of the Graphic Organizer to customize to their needs.
Event Recordings
Each event is professionally recorded and edited, and posted to YouTube. Click on the images below to be linked directly to the recording. The Instructor Guides and Graphic Organizers also link to special private edits of the videos with clear cuts between sections for ease of use.
The Constitution vs. Democracy ft. Dr. Nicole Hemmer
The annual Constitution Day program offers unique insight on constitutional questions that shape American democracy. In 2024, the Hauenstein Center's Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Nicole Hemmer, offered a look at how the Constitution occasionally clashes with Americans’ popular understanding of democracy and what this means for politics today.
Reflections on Patriotism
Do you consider yourself a patriot? Though most Americans still identify as being patriotic, the question of patriotism has become increasingly polarizing among Americans. The Common Ground Initiative welcomed Yale political science professor Steven B. Smith, syndicated columnist and author Cal Thomas, and historian and novelist Elizabeth Cobbs, to discuss the definition of patriotism, debate what actions should be considered patriotic vs. unpatriotic, and consider the role of the institutions they represent in fostering a sense of patriotism among American citizens.
Leading Like a King ft. Joe Jones
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The Hauenstein Center welcomed community leader Joe Jones to share his leadership philosophy and defining experiences as a leader in West Michigan for our annual MLK Day Celebration and Wheelhouse Talk in 2025. Among his many experiences, Jones has served as a consultant, nonprofit executive, pastor, city commissioner, and on various local boards and commissions.
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Educator Mailing List
The Hauenstein Center is eager to support educators and their students at all levels with connections to special resources and invitations to our event series. Please complete the form below to receive updates tailored specifically for West Michigan educators.
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Staff and Contacts
Randy Cotts
The Hauenstein Center team is excited to partner with Randy Cotts as our Educational Outreach Consultant to support our high school outreach efforts. Randy recently retired from a 30+ year career as a teacher with Byron Center High School. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in history. Along with AP government, he has taught 10th grade U.S. history, sociology, psychology, international relations and constitutional law. He advised the school’s Close Up program, which brought students to Washington, D.C., and started a German-American exchange program. Randy will use his experience as a teacher and passion for youth civic engagement to create event guides for our events and build relationships with local teachers.
Reach out to Randy for more information about the Hauenstein Center's educational resources at [email protected].
Kahler Sweeney
Kahler Sweeney joined the Hauenstein Center in August 2022 and now serves as the Community Programming Manager, planning the annual event series and developing relationships with stakeholders to ensure the Center's programming reaches a broad audience. Previously, Kahler worked as the Main Street Manager for the City of Otsego. Before graduating, he worked as the diversity, equity, and inclusion graduate assistant at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, participated in the Hauenstein Center’s Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy and served in the Michigan Army National Guard. His leadership philosophy is action-oriented, believing that everyone can find ways to engage directly with the issues they care most about.
Reach out to Kahler for more information about the Hauenstein Center's upcoming programming and to discuss partnership opportunities at [email protected].
