The DMC Goes South
by Lauren Lockhart, Education Manager
Like the summers before, the Mathews Center’s June began with a trip down south to Blakeley State Park for our annual teacher workshop, partnering with Executive Director Mike Bunn and staff. This year’s trip entailed a little more adventure, however, with a three-day trip including a stay at the state park’s cabins and excursions to both Mobile and Chatom to support other DMC programming.
Our morning Tuesday, June 3rd, started bright and early with a boat tour along the Tensaw Delta, a highlight of the day and an immersive experience of the history, culture, and ecosystem in this area. With guidance and commentary from park staff, you learn something every time you ride. One teacher enjoyed the learning experience so much, she participated in the workshop for a second year in a row, even after retiring!
The boat ride was paired with a presentation by Bunn, diving into the conflicts that took place during the Creek War. By examining the internal debates within the Creek Nation, Bunn set Chauntina Whittle, DMC McKenzie Fellow, up to guide educators through a deliberative forum using the Creek War of 1813-1814 issue guide, emphasizing the evident tensions that took place during this time, such as deciding to fight, flee, or join the United States, but also a deeper sense of understanding for the subject matter and others’ perspectives.
Before turning in for the night, Bunn and the DMC team headed over to Mobile for dinner and discussion with participants in the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program at the University of South Alabama, along with faculty mentor Dr. David Messenger, program instructor Dr. Ryan Morini, and board member Chris Gibson. The evening was filled with connection, both personal and professional, learning more about our overlapping interests and everyday work. USA’s JOIP Interns gave us a sneak peek into some of their in-production oral history interviews with members in the Down the Bay community, specifically focusing on the impact of the construction of the interstate and urban sprawl in the area. You can learn more and experience the interviews on the University of South Alabama’s Oral History site.
The DMC team hit the road for a detour in Chatom the morning of Wednesday, June 4th, looking forward to a visit at the Washington County Public Library with staff, previous JOIP interns, and Library Director Dr. Jessica Ross, a DMC board member. Not only using this time to reconnect and get a grand tour of their summer reading kickoff displays, we also supplied materials for our Civic Champions: Be a Hero In Your Community reading program to be completed in a passive way as students visit the library. By identifying assets in their community, building their neighborhood board, and checking out civics-centered books, students can learn more about what it means to be a friendly and active member in their community.
Photo Credit: Washington County Public Library (Facebook)
At lunch in Chatom before the trek back to Montevallo, we had the opportunity to catch up with former Living Democracy JOIP Intern Jessica Criswell, who has continued to volunteer her summers to the library since completing her internship. Her future summers will be spent a little differently, though, as she recently passed the MCAT and will be heading to UAB Heersink School of Medicine in the Fall of 2026!
With a four hour drive ahead of us, the DMC team left south Alabama with a full heart, supported determination for our mission, and a few new ideas for our Civic Institute on October 16th, 2025. We can not thank our partners enough for continuing to walk alongside us to support communities and civics across Alabama. It’s the people we connect with along the way that make this work so important.
For more questions or information about DMC programming, please contact dmccl@mathewscenter.org.