Middleton High School teachers Andy Hartman and Megan Sipiorski attended the 2026 Sphere Summit in Washington, D.C., in July to learn from top public intellectuals, legal scholars and researchers. As they prepare for the new school year, they highlighted what they are bringing back to share with students in their Legislative Semester and other courses.
The summit’s theme was “Cultivating Curiosity, Openness, and Civil Discourse in Every Classroom.”
“This really energized me for another great year of the Legislative Semester, where civil discourse, student leadership, and collaborative policy design are key components of the course,” Sipiorski said. “The Sphere Summit further solidified why these skills are so important to the future of our society and political system.”
She’s excited to bring back specific content knowledge from experts on current policy issues including trade, immigration, foreign affairs, criminal justice, and taxation.
“Even more so, I am excited to share research from political scientists and social psychologists highlighting the need for and importance of civil discourse and exposure to diverse viewpoints within our society,” Sipiorski said. “This conference further strengthened my passion for respectful discussion and collaboration within the classroom regarding today’s political issues.”
Hartman said his biggest takeaway was seeing policy experts across the ideological spectrum find common ground on complex issues including immigration, economic policy, and First Amendment rights.
“While public rhetoric often portrays these groups as fundamentally opposed, experts who study the nuances actually agree far more than people realize,” Hartman said. “Debunking the myth of absolute polarization is a key lesson I plan to bring into my classroom right at the start of the semester.”
Sipiorski said it was inspiring to hear from policy experts from across the political spectrum.
“Because our political content can often feel slanted to one side or the other, it was really refreshing to have multiple perspectives equally represented in the same forum and to identify areas of common ground,” Sipiorski said.
She said a sightseeing highlight was the National Museum of African American History Culture.
Hartman agreed: “The architectural design physically guides you from the darkness of a slave ship up to a bright, open-air celebration of Black culture, showcasing the monumental contributions of Black and formerly enslaved people to our nation's history—especially meaningful as we approach the 250th anniversary of the U.S.”
Sipiorski shared the themes she’ll focus on with her students in the classroom.
“The summit emphasized that while the policy pathways may diverge, it is important to remember that political opponents both have a sincere love for the country and a belief that they have the right solution,” she said. “Taking the time to understand the ‘why’ behind a differing perspective keeps our democracy healthy. Continuing to expose students to diverse viewpoints and ideas that may challenge their own helps build a new generation of engaged citizens with open-minded and creative solutions to tackle today’s most pressing issues.”
Hartman and Sipiorski agreed that the summit was powerful.
“It was deeply inspiring to be surrounded by hundreds of educators from across the country who are actively working to foster civil dialogue in their classrooms,” Hartman said. “Knowing there is a nationwide movement of teachers dedicated to equipping the next generation with the skills to bridge divides and reduce polarization is both empowering and hopeful.”
MCPASD is grateful for educators who prioritize professional development and growth as lifelong learners. Sipiorski and Hartman exemplify A Cardinal’s Journey Mindset of staying curious to gain new skills and knowledge.