John Allen of Connecticut to Receive Street Law’s 2025 Classroom Champion Award

Street Law, Inc. is proud to announce its 2025 Classroom Champion: John Allen, a civics and government teacher at Putnam High School in Putnam, Connecticut.  

The annual Classroom Champion Award recognizes outstanding educators for their exemplary use of Street Law materials and pedagogy. Nominated by administrators, colleagues, or students, the winner is selected by a committee of Street Law staff, board members, and past award recipients. Allen will accept the award at Street Law’s 2025 Awards Gala on April 30 in Washington, DC.  

Since discovering Street Law in his first year of teaching, Allen has integrated its curricular materials and methods into his civics and U.S. government classes, creating opportunities for interactive learning using Street Law’s moot courts, Supreme Court case materials, and deliberative discussions.  

Every sophomore in Allen’s civics class participates in a moot court as both a lawyer and a justice, engaging with historic cases like Tinker v. Des Moines, Texas v. Johnson, and Kennedy v. Bremerton. He also shares photos and stories from his experience at the 2017 Supreme Court Summer Institute to enrich his lessons. Using Street Law’s Deliberation materials, Allen engages students in discussions on issues such as voter ID laws and cell phone use in schools, building both essential civic skills and knowledge on timely, real-world topics.  

Allen emphasizes the importance of constitutional literacy in all his teaching. “I tell my students every year that the Constitution is the most important content I will ever teach them, and I mean it! It is very important to me that my students leave my class with a knowledge of how the government works, and their place in the process.” 

Earlier this school year, during presidential election season, Allen used Street Law’s resources on the Electoral College to deepen students’ understanding through highly structured, student-centered discussion. Students analyzed the Electoral College process using graphics, videos, and maps, then studied Street Law’s materials to understand multiple perspectives on the topic. The unit culminated in a Deliberation and a written assessment on the impact of the Electoral College on American democracy. Many students continued the discussion at home, and Allen notes, “I have received many compliments from parents over the years about how my course’s content, often supported by Street Law, makes difficult concepts understandable for their kids.” 

Allen also creates opportunities for his students to engage beyond their classroom in the local community. In February, his students visited the Connecticut State Capitol to meet with Putnam’s state senator. Since 2021, Allen has organized Veterans Day events connecting students with local veterans to learn about their experiences in service. 

Allen’s passion for civic and law-related education leaves a lasting impact. A former student recently credited Allen’s AP Government course for sparking her interest in law. As his colleague, Dr. Melissa Zablonski, remarked, “John instills confidence within students and helps them understand that they have the power to make change in the world; many students return years after graduation to thank Mr. Allen for the impact they had on their civic lives.”  

Recognizing Allen’s exceptional dedication, Street Law CEO Ashok Regmi stated, “Teachers are developing the next generation of leaders in their classrooms today. Street Law is proud to present its 2025 Classroom Champion Award to John Allen for his dedication and commitment to ensuring that young people have the agency to affect change.” 

Through his work, Allen exemplifies the mission of Street Law—empowering students with the knowledge and skills to participate fully in civic life.