On Feb. 6, 2015 the Albertville Primary School cafetorium was abuzz with the spirit of America! Four hundred and seventy five 2nd graders clapped and sang as they prepared for Liberty Learning Foundation’s Next Great Americans Tour to arrive carrying today’s special guest: Libby Liberty™ Students, teachers and local VIPs applauded as the lady in green came off the bus and appeared on stage to bring history to life for these students.

Today’s event is just the first piece of the groundbreaking Super Citizen Program, an Alabama-based civic  character / financial literacy / social studies initiative that has taken root across the state thanks to concerned corporate sponsors such as AlaTrade Foods.

“It’s inspiring and shocking to think that out of the goodness of these peoples hearts they want to do this … not for anything in return – except for a better country. Not to sound cheesy, but the kids are the best investment that we can make and they (sponsors) are doing it,“
says teacher Jennifer Rogers. “I hope they learned from the program today that they have an awesome opportunity to be a hero everyday in some way.”

Though the Statue of Liberty is a symbolic representation of the ideals and lessons students will learn, these seven and eight-year-olds couldn’t wait to meet the virtual teacher who they will learn from back in the classroom when the bus pulls away: Mr. Palmer.

After Libby’s theatrical performance, the three screens on stage fluttered with static and “the Hands on Learning” star (essentially a brash, hilarious, talking hand) stole the show. His banter with computer sidekick, Boz, and the 20-finger band had students laughing, clapping, singing and … engaged.

And that engagement is key to the program says Liberty Learning founder Patti Yancey, “We all understand that students are more interested, inspired and engaged when we make things fun. All of our Super Citizen Programs use video, music, project-based learning and activcities to help educators teach these crucial lessons in a small amount of time … and with the most impact.”

Those crucial lessons, says Yancey “are civics, character, financial literacy and our Great American Story – because afterall, those lessons give context to their roles in our future. And, alongside a focus in STEM, they round out the equation for truly life and career-ready students.”

The show ended with a rousing, interactive singing of the tour’s anthem that proudly states, “Only YOU can keep the U. in the U.S.A.” If the foundation’s mission was to ignite a fire for learning and civic responsibility, it was obvious by the end of the song that this school was up to the challenge.

In a couple months, the final piece of the program will bring weeks of learning full circle as these same students honor community heroes who personifies the character and civic responsibility they will be learning. Because, the foundation says, “When you honor a hero, you become a hero.”

Vanessa Fowler, Albertville Primary School Principal, “I hope the student understand what a true hero is here on earth (that is with them right now) as opposed to their superhero or Superman. Also I hope they realize they can be a hero to other people too- what it takes, what kind of character they want to be, what kind of person of character they want to be when they grow up as well as while they are here in school. “