Teach with TVW

Teach with TVW Visit teachwithtvw.org to learn more. Showing the next generation that democracy is a participatory exercise is paramount to what we do at Teach With TVW.

Teach with TVW is a FREE online resource provided by TVW consisting of two civics programs for WA Social Studies Teachers engaging students with their state government to make a difference. Teach with TVW Mission

Many citizens in Washington State feel that they do not have a voice in their government or understand how to engage with it. We provide the next generation with the tools to be active i

n the legislative process. Our free, hands-on civics programs create a rich and immersive learning experience by involving students in the actual legislative process.

08/22/2026

📢 RECOUNT ALERT 📢

Weeks after Washingtonians voted in the primaries, the results in the 42nd Legislative District are yet to be finalized. Two Democratic candidates, one of whom will advance to the general election in November, are neck and neck in the race. After the initial count, Michael Shepard leads Eamonn Collins by just 4 votes.

Two Democratic candidates are separated by just 4 votes, which triggers an automatic hand recount. This is one of the closest elections in state history.

We spoke with Mary Hall in 2024 to better understand what exactly happens during a hand recount (and how to fill out a ballot correctly).

🗓️ Recount begins: Tuesday, August 25th.
📺 Livestream the recount on the auditor’s website. (🔗Link in bio!)

Follow along to learn more about Washington elections, government, and politics.

07/23/2026

In most of America, your chosen political party defines your choices in the primary. In Washington, this is not the case!

Washington’s Top 2 Primary is an outlier designed to shift power from political parties to the people. This system was built to:
🔹 Prioritize individual candidates over party loyalty
🔹 Encourage campaigns to appeal to the broader electorate, not just the base
🔹 Ensure the general election reflects the actual will of the voters

This means the real competition happens in August. If you wait until November, your chosen candidate may already be excluded from the race.

Don’t outsource your political voice. Engage with the candidates now to ensure your values are represented when the field narrows.

🔗 Click the link to watch the whole history of why we have the top two primary in Washington: https://youtu.pulse.ly/5jdlxvcaxl

Happy 4th of July!As we celebrate Independence Day, we're reminded that our nation's history is built on the voices and ...
07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July!

As we celebrate Independence Day, we're reminded that our nation's history is built on the voices and participation of each generation.

This student letter from Washington's 1976 Bicentennial offers a small glimpse into that legacy. As we approach America250, we're celebrating not only our shared history, but also the civic curiosity and engagement that will shape the next chapter.

From everyone at Teach with TVW, have a safe and meaningful Independence Day.

📬 KID LETTERS | SERIES RECAPReal questions. Real history.As America celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976, students wrote ...
07/03/2026

📬 KID LETTERS | SERIES RECAP

Real questions. Real history.

As America celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976, students wrote Governor Dan Evans with questions about the issues shaping their communities and their future. From education and transportation to government and the economy, their voices reflected the hopes and concerns of a generation.

Governor Evans took the time to write back, creating conversations that still resonate nearly 50 years later.

As we approach America's 250th anniversary, these letters remind us that civic engagement begins with curiosity, thoughtful questions, and the courage to speak up.

📖 Read the Kid Letters featured in this series and explore the conversations that continue to inspire civic engagement today.

Thank you to the Washington State Archives for preserving these remarkable pieces of history and partnering with Teach with TVW to bring them to life.

07/02/2026

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #006

"I think there are some things that need a change around here," wrote Puyallup student Lori Strait to Governor Dan Evans in 1976.

As America celebrated its Bicentennial, Lori shared her concerns about the construction of a new freeway through her community. She worried that valuable farmland was being lost and questioned whether the benefits of the project outweighed the costs.

Governor Evans responded thoughtfully, explaining that major public projects require balancing many competing interests. While acknowledging the impact on local farmers, he described how transportation improvements could also help agriculture by connecting farmers to more markets.

Nearly 50 years later, Highway 512 continues to evolve as Puyallup has grown, making Lori's questions about growth, transportation, and preserving community just as relevant today.

📬 Kid Letters is a Teach with TVW series produced in partnership with the Washington State Archives, revisiting real letters written by Washington students during the Bicentennial era as we approach America's 250th anniversary.

07/01/2026

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #005

“We are the ones to suffer for adults’ decisions,” wrote 14 year old Teresa to Governor Dan Evans in 1976.

As America celebrated its Bicentennial, Teresa wrote with a heartfelt concern: What kind of future would her generation inherit?

She worried about the economy, education, and whether she would have the opportunities to pursue college and a career. Most importantly, she wanted to help.

Governor Evans responded with encouragement, reminding Teresa that every generation faces challenges, learns from the past, and has a role in building a better future. His advice? Stay engaged, continue learning, and never underestimate the value of a good education.

Nearly 50 years later, Teresa's questions still resonate.

📬 Kid Letters is a Teach with TVW series produced in partnership with the Washington State Archives, revisiting real letters written by Washington students during the Bicentennial era as we approach America's 250th anniversary.

06/24/2026

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #004: Robert Nick

🌲 Did you know Washington created the nation's first state Department of Ecology?

In 1976, Washington student Robert Nick wrote Governor Dan Evans as part of a Bicentennial classroom project and asked about his greatest contribution as governor.

Governor Evans pointed to something that continues to impact Washingtonians today: helping establish the Department of Ecology and protecting our state's natural environment for future generations.

Nearly 50 years later, we're revisiting Robert's letter and exploring how one student's question captured a pivotal moment in Washington history.

📬 KID LETTERS is a Teach with TVW series produced in partnership with the Washington State Archives.

🇺🇸 From the Bicentennial to America 250, we're uncovering the questions Washington students asked and the stories they preserved.

06/19/2026

Juneteenth is a national commemoration of freedom, but it is also an opportunity to explore the local histories that connect our communities to the broader American story.

During the 2026 Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at the Washington State Capitol, Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne highlighted the story of Charles Mitchell, a 13-year-old enslaved boy who escaped from Olympia to freedom in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1860.

Mitchell's story reminds us that the history of slavery, freedom, law, and justice is not confined to one region of the country. It is part of Washington's history as well.

This carousel explores Mitchell's journey, the significance of Juneteenth, and the ongoing work to understand the lasting impacts of slavery through the Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action.

Civic learning is strongest when we connect national events to the people, places, and stories closest to home.

06/17/2026

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #003

"Why do some people feel the need to cheat just to gain power or money?"

As America celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976, Washington student Diane Wold wrote Governor Dan Evans with concerns about corruption, public trust, education funding, and the future of the country.

In this episode of Kid Letters, produced in partnership with the Washington State Archives, we revisit Diane's thoughtful letter and Governor Evans' response, reminding us that young people have always had important questions about the future of our democracy.

🇺🇸 As we approach America's 250th anniversary, these student voices from the Bicentennial era offer a powerful window into our shared history.

📂 Presented in partnership with the Washington State Archives.

06/10/2026

📬 KID LETTERS: CASE FILE #002
What did Governor Evans think about income taxes?
How did kids conduct their research in 1976?

In March 1976, 10th grader Joanne Erb wrote directly to Governor Dan Evans with a question that Washingtonians are still debating today: should the state adopt an income tax to help pay for public schools?

At the time, the issue was already a major topic of public discussion. Washington voters had rejected income tax proposals earlier in the decade, but Governor Evans remained a supporter of the idea.

Joanne wanted to know why.

Nearly 50 years later, we're reopening Joanne's letter and the Governor's response as part of KID LETTERS, a series created in partnership with the Washington State Archives.

KID LETTERS explores real correspondence between Washington students and elected leaders, uncovering the questions, curiosity, and civic engagement that became part of our state's history.
📂 Case File #002: Joanne Erb
📍 Washington State | 1976
Watch now and discover how a student's question about funding schools became part of Washington's historical record.
Presented in partnership with the Washington State Archives.

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