Two Highline-area educators have been honored by the Washington State Senate with Outstanding Civic Educator awards.

The awards were presented as part of the first-ever Civic Education Day at the state capitol.

Honored were elementary and secondary teachers who have demonstrated a special expertise in teaching about the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Congress and public policy at the state and local levels.

The event also focused on the need for civic education in Washington's public schools.

Mount Rainier High School social studies teacher Tom Coraggio was among the 12 honorees from throughout the state.

Corragio teaches "We the People: America and the World," an honors class where students learn about American constitutional democracy and the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

He also teaches world geography and honors U.S. history.

For the past seven years, his classes have represented Washington's 9th Congressional District at the state finals of "We the People" where they have placed in the top three on several occasions.

Kathy Hand, the Washington state coordinator for "We the People, " was honored for her work as head of the non-profit Civic Education Washington State"-an organization that promotes civic education.

Upon her retirement from the Highline School Board, Hand turned her efforts to promoting civic education across the state.

In 2006 she joined with 12 others to distribute more than 10,375 We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution textbooks and 5,517 Project Citizen textbooks to Washington schools at no cost to the districts.

Her service to civic education has extended beyond both state and national levels. She now travels to countries such as Russia, Poland and Jordan to promote the importance of civic education.

"Tom and Kathy have inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of students and adults," said Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines.

"I know this personally as Mr. Corragio taught both of my sons, and my youngest participated in the 'We the People' competition at Mt. Rainier High School."

Keiser also expressed concern "that our civic life is shrinking. The turnout for town meetings and the level of engagement in civic life are in decline.

"The people we honor today are highly dedicated individuals who understand how crucial it is that our schools teach students how to be active members of our democratic society."

Educators, students, youth leadership organizations, state agencies, student lobby groups and others were invited to the State Capitol to learn more about civic education and celebrate Civic Education Day.