Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute Scholars Conference Helps Educators Bring the Constitution to LifE
Civic Education Through the Johnson Institute
The courtroom where history was made is still teaching new generations about the Constitution, civil rights, and the role of the judiciary in American life. Through its educational programs, tours, and public events, the Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute is helping students, educators, and communities better understand the principles that continue to shape the nation. Support from the Alabama Law Foundation is helping make that work possible.
This summer, the Institute will welcome educators from across the region for its fifth annual Johnson Institute Scholars Conference, scheduled for June 9-11, 2026, in downtown Montgomery. Designed for middle and high school social studies teachers, the conference offers an immersive, hands-on experience focused on the U.S. Constitution, the judiciary, and the practical teaching of civic education in today’s classrooms.
Inside the Scholars Conference
The conference is offered free of charge and allows educators to spend three days learning directly from speakers that include judges, attorneys, experienced educators, and Institute staff. Participants receive comprehensive lesson plans and supporting classroom materials in both printed and digital formats, along with practical instruction on how to apply those lessons with students.
“You can’t have civic or constitutional education without understanding where your civil rights come from,” said Jennifer Rogers, Director of Development for the Johnson Institute. “This course provides a working understanding of our rights as U.S. citizens.”
Rather than focusing only on lectures or theory, the Scholars Conference emphasizes practical teaching tools educators can immediately bring back to their classrooms. Teachers participate in interactive lessons, discussions, and activities designed to help students better understand constitutional rights, the judicial process, and the importance of civil discourse.
“They will leave with both tangible materials and ideas to apply, so they feel empowered to teach, with a working knowledge of our constitutional rights and the workings of the judicial system,” Rogers said.
The program continues long after the conference ends. A board made up of teachers from multiple states who have attended the Scholars Conference meets virtually to review and refine educational materials to ensure they remain relevant and effective in modern classrooms. Participants also continue receiving updates to educational resources, helping them stay connected to the program and its mission.
Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr.’s Legacy
The Institute’s work is deeply rooted in the legacy of Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., whose decisions helped dismantle segregation and expand civil rights protections throughout the South and across the nation. Appointed as a federal judge at just 37 years old, Judge Johnson presided over landmark cases involving school desegregation, voting rights, equal opportunity employment, prison reform, and the Selma-to-Montgomery March led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Case after case tested both the Constitution and the courage of the judiciary. Judge Johnson remained committed to what he viewed as his duty under the law, even in the face of intense public criticism and death threats. His rulings in cases involving Rosa Parks, civil rights demonstrators, and voting access became defining moments in American legal history.
Judge Johnson also had an impact far beyond the South, with rulings addressing workplace equality, affirmative action, prison conditions, and adequate care for mental health patients, among others, influencing legal protections across the country and around the world.
Founded by admirers of Judge Johnson, the Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute carries that legacy forward through nonpartisan educational programming centered on constitutional understanding and the importance of an independent judiciary. Since beginning in 2019, thousands of people have participated in the Institute’s programming in person and online, and it continues to expand its educational reach statewide and beyond.
This spring alone, the Institute hosted visitors and student groups from institutions including students from the University of Denver Law School, Evansville University Pre-Law, and Brigham Young University Law School.
“In 2025 alone, the Johnson Institute trained, taught, or engaged more than 2,000 individuals,” said Thomas Rains, Executive Director of the Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute. “None of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters and grant partners.”
How Alabama Law Foundation Grants Help
One of those grant partners is the Alabama Law Foundation, which provides annual grants for law-related charitable projects throughout the state. Many of those grants are funded through Alabama’s IOLTA program, which stands for Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts.
When attorneys hold client funds that are too small in amount or held for too short a time to generate interest for an individual client, those funds are placed into pooled IOLTA accounts. Interest earned on those accounts is then directed to the Alabama Law Foundation to support programs that expand access to justice, improve the administration of justice, and promote law-related education.
The Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute received Alabama Law Foundation grant support to help continue its statewide civic education efforts, helping students, educators, and communities better understand the Constitution, the judiciary, and the rule of law.
Visit the Johnson Institute
Beyond the Scholars Conference, the Institute also offers courthouse tours and educational programs for students, civic organizations, and community groups interested in civil justice and constitutional history. Tours can accommodate groups of any size, from in-person to virtual.
The Judge Johnson Institute hosts visitors who can explore the stories, court decisions, and individuals who helped shape modern civil rights in America.
Educators interested in attending the Johnson Institute Scholars Conference or groups interested in scheduling a visit can learn more on the Institute’s website at The Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute.