Judges in the Classroom

The Judges in the Classroom program provides Washington teachers with the opportunity to request that a judge visit their classroom.

During classroom visits, judges present age-appropriate lessons featuring state law and practice to K-12 students. The lessons are interactive and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the legal and judicial systems as well as the basic concept of fairness.

Lesson plans and supporting materials are free for both teachers and judges and are easily accessible to download. The curriculum is intended to engage students in active discussions, courtroom simulations and role-playing. Students also use critical thinking to observe and analyze legal situations.

Launched in 1996, Judges in the Classroom — along with its companion program, Street Law — was awarded the Colleen Willoughby Youth Civic Education Award by Seattle CityClub in 2014.

Former Program Director Margaret Fisher was awarded the 2013 Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education. For questions about Judges in the Classroom, contact Nicole Ack at nicole.ack@courts.wa.gov or 360-357-2116.