Hamilton County judges visited schools across the county this month to help students learn about the United States Constitution in connection with Constitution Day.

Constitution Day, observed September 17, marks the signing of the nation’s founding document in 1787. The Indiana Supreme Court encourages judges and attorneys to use the occasion as an opportunity for civic education.

Newly appointed Magistrate Judge Sarah Shields spent time in classrooms on September 15 and 16. She first visited a kindergarten class at Geist Elementary School, where she introduced students—including her own son—to the role of judges and magistrates. The following day, she read to preschoolers at LeafSpring School in Fishers, including her daughter.

“The Constitution can feel big and complicated, but even young kids understand the idea of rules and fairness,” Shields said. “It was fun to show them that judges are here to help with that.”

On September 16, Commissioner Christopher Barrows spoke to more than 800 eighth-grade social studies students at Westfield Middle School.

“Eighth grade is the perfect age to start connecting the dots between history and real life,” Barrows said. “The students had great questions, and you could tell they were really thinking about how the Constitution applies to their lives.”

Superior Court Judge David Najjar visited Geist Montessori Academy on September 22, where he guided third- and fourth-grade students through a mock trial of Goldilocks vs. The Three Bears. Students acted as jurors, attorneys, a bailiff, and a court reporter.

“When students get to be the jurors or attorneys, it clicks for them that the Constitution is about real people making real decisions,” Najjar said. “That hands-on experience sticks with them in a way a textbook never could.”