Champion of Civic Education Honoree Profile – Amanda Antey

For Amanda Antey, civic education is more than a subject; it is a way of life. As a government, civics, and We the People educator at Castle High School, Antey has spent the last 20 years helping students understand not only how government works but why engaged citizenship matters.

The Indiana Bar Foundation is proud to recognize Amanda Antey as a 2026 Champion of Civic Education honoree.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to this point in your career?

Amanda began her teaching career with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation before transitioning to Warrick County School Corporation, where she now teaches at Castle High School. Over the years, she has taught both middle school and high school students while building a strong foundation in civic education.

Today, she teaches sociology, government, civics, AP Government and Politics, dual-credit government, and We the People courses.

Q: What does receiving this award mean to you?

For Amanda, the award reflects the impact her students continue to make long after leaving her classroom.

“I think it is a testament to the work that I am doing in my classroom and the impact that I do have on my current students, but also my former students,” she said.

Many of her former students are now pursuing careers in law, civil service, politics, and leadership roles on college campuses.

“I’m finding that my former students aren’t just active,” Amanda said. “They are participating in an active citizenry for sure.”

Q: Who has supported or inspired you along the way?

Amanda credits her husband, Eric — also a teacher at Castle High School — as one of her biggest supporters. She also points to late Indiana educator Stan Harris, who introduced her to the We the People program early in her career.

“He understands what it is I’m doing,” she said of her husband. “He doesn’t question it, and he doesn’t hold me back. If anything, he’s super supportive of it.”

She also credits supportive school and district leadership for encouraging her professional growth and civic education initiatives.

Q: Are there any projects or goals you’re especially excited about?

Amanda was recently selected by the National Constitution Center to serve as a Civic Virtue Fellow, helping pilot a new civic virtue curriculum that she will integrate into her classroom next year.

She is also partnering with iCivics on a campaign highlighting innovative civic education work happening in Indiana classrooms.

“I’m proud to be a Hoosier,” Amanda said. “I want us to be on the map for the right reasons.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone hoping to make a similar impact?

Amanda believes meaningful civic education can happen in any community, regardless of size or location.

“The work that you’re doing matters,” she said. “If you’re teaching your students about the importance of good citizenship and giving back to the community, location doesn’t matter.”

Q: Do you have a motto or quote that guides you?

Rather than relying on a specific motto, Amanda focuses on authenticity and leading by example. “I walk the walk and I talk the talk,” she said.

Whether contacting elected officials, pursuing professional development opportunities, or sharing experiences from visits to historic sites such as Independence Hall and the White House, Amanda strives to model civic engagement for her students.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Amanda also spoke about blending her love of civic education with the arts. Through a Lilly Creativity Fellowship, she explored the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton while visiting historic sites connected to early American history and the Broadway musical Hamilton.

That creativity continues in her classroom through projects like “Soundtrack of Resistance,” in which students analyze protest songs and examine the relationships among music, free speech, and civic activism.

Through her innovative teaching and authentic leadership, Amanda Antey continues to inspire the next generation of informed and engaged citizens.

Join us in celebrating Amanda Antey and her contributions to the civic education community at the Indiana Bar Foundation’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 26, at the Westin in downtown Indianapolis. Learn more and RSVP, click here: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/2026-annual-meeting-and-awards-luncheon/e783083.