John Minkler

Civic Education Initiative Team Leader John Minkler has been an educator and administrator in history and civics since 1971, with extensive experience in both alternative and traditional educational settings. He co-founded Synergy School at the Unity Center of Walnut Creek and worked closely with Barbara Marx Hubbard as a consultant on the Conscious Evolution Portal. John also served as a Program Coordinator at the Fresno County Office of Education and as Director of the Center for Multicultural Cooperation, where he was instrumental in promoting civic education and multicultural understanding. As Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Civic Education Center, John is focused on empowering young people through active civic participation. He co-chaired the Task Force on Revitalizing Civic Education for the National Council of the Social Studies and has been a key advocate for civic learning initiatives throughout California. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Award of Excellence from the California Council for Social Studies and the Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. In February, John published Civic Intelligence, Empowering America’s Youth, which outlines his innovative approach to civic education and provides real-world examples of how young people can be empowered to engage in their communities. His work continues to inspire educators and policymakers alike, as he remains committed to transforming K-12 education to foster a more engaged, responsible generation of civic leaders.