USCIS just released its long-awaited new educational resource: "One Nation, One People Civics Test Textbook," a preparatory study resource for the naturalization test for low-level English learners. This guide includes images and diagrams throughout to facilitate the learning and retention of U.S. civics information. Come learn how this new resource can support citizenship preparation and civics education for your program.
Opening Remarks: Eva Millona, Chief, Office of Citizenship Partnership and Engagement, External Affairs Directorate, USCIS
Guest Presenters: Kelton Williams, Ph.D. and Samantha Rijkers, Education Program Specialists, Citizenship Education and Training Branch, Office of Citizenship, Office of Citizenship Partnership and Engagement, External Affairs Directorate, USCIS
Time: October 21, 2024 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT
Biographies:
Kelton Williams is the Education Program specialist in the Citizenship and Training Branch (CETB) within the Office of Citizenship (OoC). His work with CETB has included designing educational resources that are published on the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center, such as "One Nation, One People: The USCIS Civics Test Textbook,, "The Adult Citizenship Education Sample Curriculum," and "A More Perfect Union: The USCIS Civics Test Guide to the Monuments and Memorials on the National Mall." Each year, Kelton works with the CETB team to conduct Adult Citizenship Education Training Academies around the country for adult citizenship educators to focus on the naturalization test, eligibility requirements, and process; as well as adult citizenship education resources and instructional strategies. He also coordinates with museums around the country to conduct seminars for adult citizenship educators using museum exhibits and collections to teach civics content knowledge and English language skills. Prior to joining USCIS, Kelton was the Assistant Professor of Educational Studies at Knox College in Galesburg, Il, and he started his career teaching middle and high school history in Texas. Kelton holds a M.Ed. and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (Emphasis: History of Civics Education in the United States) from TeXas A & M University, and he has B.A. in Political Science from Emory & Henry College.
Samantha Rijkers is an Education Program Specialist in the Citizenship Education and Training Branch in the Office of Citizenship at USCIS. Samantha previously worked at the New-York Historical Society, where she managed the Citizenship Project since its launch in 2017. This free program helps green card holders prepare for their naturalization interview using artifacts and painting from the museum collections and has helped over 9,000 legal permanent residents on their path to citizenship. Samantha has represented the Citizenship Project in local and national media, including the Netflix documentary short, Out of Many, One. She has previously worked as an educator at the New-York Historical Society and the Tenement Museum. Samantha earned a Master’s degree in history of Women and Gender from New York University.
