Effective July 1, 2023, Classroom Law Project is now Civics Learning Project.
After 40 years as Oregon’s leader in Civic Education, we’re excited to move into the future with our new name. We will continue to provide the broad range of engaging civics education programs you know and love, just under a name that reflects our mission and work more clearly.
You can find us online at www.civicslearning.org. Please update your bookmarks.
Our email addresses have also changed. Messages sent to our old addresses will forward to us, but please update your contacts and watch for messages from our new addresses.
Thank you for being part of our community! Let us know if you have any questions.
Access from 6th Avenue by taking the elevator down to the first floor and turning left from the elevators.
We also have a street entrance on 5th Avenue between Jefferson and Columbia. Just ring the doorbell for access.
Beth (she/her) is Director of Programs for Civics Learning Project. As a classroom teacher in a variety of public and private schools at all levels for the past 20 years, Beth focused on sharing her passion for civic engagement by creating curriculum to support her students in finding their voices and engaging as positive change makers in their community.
For the past 10 years, she has been an Oregon Public School Socials Studies and Language Arts teacher at the Middle and High School levels. In her last high school position, Beth implemented and oversaw a student led Peer Court, a restorative justice alternative to the school’s traditional discipline plan, and advised the Student Equity Team. She is a National Geographic Teacher Consultant, and is a steering committee member for the Center for Geographic Studies in Oregon.
Beth holds a B.A. in History from the University of Rochester (NY) and her M.A. in Teaching from Lewis and Clark Graduate School. She lives at home with her husband Michael and can most often be found in the kitchen, indulging her other passion of recreating dishes from her travels around the world.
Frank (he/him) is Regional Program Manager – Southern Oregon for Civics Learning Project.
Prior to starting at Civics Learning Project in February 2022, Frank spent nearly two decades in education as a high-school history teacher, program director, researcher, and facilitator of adult learning. He believes deeply in educational programs that emphasize authentic learning experiences, support personalized relationships between teachers and students, and promote democratic practices in schools and beyond. He began his career in education at the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, where he worked on a national study of Critical Friends Groups at K–12 schools. After teaching history at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he served as Director of the Sizer Teachers Center at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, Massachusetts. Over the years, he has worked extensively with teachers and administrators in Massachusetts, Oregon, Wisconsin, and several other states. For ten years, Frank worked as a director, dramaturg, and casting director for numerous professional theaters around the United States.
He currently lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he serves on the board of Ashland Food Project and is involved in CASA of Jackson County. In his spare time, Frank enjoys reading, birding, playing the piano, cooking and baking, traveling, and attempting to knit (often unsuccessfully). In 2022, he became a cat dad to Taylor and Tiger, two adorable middle-aged felines.
Frank has a bachelor’s degree in History and Educational Studies from Brown University.
Robert (he/him) is Civics Learning Project’s Director of Development and Communications, and has a long history with the organization. Prior to holding his current position, Robert worked as CLP’s Data Coordinator and helped to streamline the data management systems; he also coordinated volunteers for fundraising events.
Robert has an extensive background in non-profit management and board service, and spent the first part of his career working as a librarian and library membership and communications coordinator.
A native Oregonian, Robert grew up in Albany and graduated from Willamette University. He learned civic engagement at a young age, helping his grandfather deliver voting machines around Linn county. Robert also has a Certificate in Comics Studies from Portland State University and has published articles about comics in a variety of academic journals and textbooks.
Molly Hylton (she/her) is the Senior Program Manager of Outreach & Engagement for Civics Learning Project, where she helps stakeholders connect with curriculum offerings, establishes partnerships around the state, and is deliberate in keeping CLP’s mission at the forefront of outreach and engagement.
Prior to joining CLP, Molly spent most of her career as a Language Arts teacher in the Portland area. Molly was lucky enough to lead two AVID cohorts, where she observed the obstacles many students face and their shared determination to achieve academic success. Molly believes education is the key to opportunity, and that empowerment through education can lead to social change. She sees her work with Civics Learning Project and its preeminent programs as a powerful way to mentor students to gain confidence and move the dial on civic engagement.
Molly lives in Eugene with her husband and two children. Some of Molly’s favorite pastimes include: golf, being outdoors, a good book, a strong cup of coffee, and adventures with family. Molly has a B.A. from the University of Oregon and M.Ed. from Portland State University.
Sam (he/his) became the Executive Director of the Civics Learning Project in 2023. He has served in a variety of leadership and executive roles in government, politics, tech, organized labor, and nonprofit organizations.
Prior to joining CLP, Sam was the political director of the largest independent labor union on the west coast, general counsel of The Greenlining Institute, and led government affairs in Lime’s largest North American markets. He has led numerous successful policy and legislative campaigns on economic equity, environmental justice, transportation access, and consumer protection. He also has a decade of experience advising and working on local, congressional and gubernatorial races.
As a lawyer, Sam has successfully litigated dozens of cases before regulatory agencies, saving billions of dollars for consumers. He has testified before Congress and regularly testified before state legislatures to defend the rights of underserved communities. Sam has been quoted in hundreds of media outlets across the country on issues ranging from energy to small business opportunities to media consolidation. Due to his community leadership, Sam was appointed to serve on various boards and commissions at the county, regional, and state levels.
Prior to law school, Sam was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in New York City and helped provide disaster relief after the 9/11 attacks. He also worked at the United Nations to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Middle East following the first Gulf War.
In his spare time, you might see Sam playing with his daughter at OMSI or in one of the myriad of beautiful parks in Portland. When he hasn’t been completely exhausted by his daughter, he loves running along the Willamette River and discovering new restaurants with his wife.
Abby (she/her) is coming to Civics Learning Project from the Midwest. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Middle Education & History from Butler University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. Over eight years, she taught 2nd–8th grade in Indiana. Abby transitioned to higher education in 2019, joining the College of Education at Purdue University. Her focus was building community partnerships and service learning opportunities along with teacher mentoring and support.
Abby is excited to be in Portland with her husband, Tyler, who teaches fifth grade. They live with their two dogs (Bowie and Bruce) and two cats (Simon and Stella). Abby is an avid reader, community theater volunteer, and enjoys hiking, gardening, and being outside!
Beth (she/her) is Civics Learning Project’s Senior Manager of Programs & Communications. With a background in content creation, communication and branding strategy, project coordination, and non-profit administration, Beth enjoys bringing creativity, collaboration, and big picture thinking to her work at CLP.
A former professional musician, Beth received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Linfield College, apprenticed with Des Moines Metro Opera and the Aspen Music Festival, and enjoyed 20+ years of performing with opera companies and orchestras throughout the West Coast. During that time, she maintained an active private voice studio and enjoyed working with young singers as a clinician and adjudicator.
In her spare time, Beth enjoys gardening, cribbage, playing ukulele, singing harmony, and hanging out with her awesome kid, Nate, her partner, Corey, and their cats, Pepper and French Fry.
Chris Parrucci (he/him) was born and raised on Long Island, and lived most of his adult life in New York City. He has a Bachelors of Science degree in 7-12 Social Studies education from New York University and a Juris Doctorate from Maurice A. Deane School of Law from Hofstra University.
Chris has divided his career between the legal, education, and nonprofit fields. He has taught high school Social Studies courses in both New York and Oregon, including United States History and Government, Global History and Geography, Native American History, and Themes of World and United States History. He has experience as an outside educator and curriculum developer for various nonprofit organizations, where he has worked with students at all grade levels, as well as instructing workshops, courses and seminars for undergraduate students and seasoned classroom educators.
Chris spends his down time with his wife, Jennifer, and cat, Anacapri. He loves streaming his favorite series, going to the movies, listening to podcasts, and has recently become a hiking enthusiast since moving to Oregon in March of 2020.
Dru (she/they) comes to the Civics Learning Project by way of the classical music world. Dru is a professional singer and actor in Portland and has a private voice studio where they teach students at all levels. Over the years, Dru has worked in product and building management and has many years in education – in addition to her private studio, Dru has also worked as a Success Coach helping online college students adjust to, and succeed in, the world of online learning. Dru has a passion for meeting students and learners where they are so they can succeed in whatever way is best for them!
Dru moved to Portland from Kansas in 2009 and holds Bachelor degrees in Voice Performance and Theatre as well as a Masters degree in Opera Performance.
When not at CLP, Dru is more than likely in rehearsals for an opera or musical or collaborating with her brilliant friends on queer cabarets. Dru loves camping, exploring rivers and waterfalls, searching for the elusive Oregon sun, and chatting and snuggling with her two best friends (who just happen to be cats), Ralphie and Cricket.
Amy Sabbadini (she/her) is Civics Learning Project’s Regional Program Manager for the Central Oregon area, and a National Board-certified social studies teacher with decades of classroom experience. She currently serves as an instructor in OSU-Cascades’ Master of Teaching program and has been mentoring emerging professionals for years. Amy led Oregon Writing Project workshops for teachers over many summers and enjoys educator collaboration and curriculum development. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies and M.Ed. Secondary Teaching Social Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
Amy has benefitted from many Civics Learning Project programs over the years and is excited to be part of an organization she values so highly. Amy grew up in San Diego County and has lived in Italy and Costa Rica. She moved to Bend in 2005, where she is raising a blended family of two children, two dogs, and one horse with her husband Dave.
Jonathan (he/him) joined the Civics Learning Project team in 2023 as Program and Events Coordinator and is an alum of the organization’s student programs himself! As a student in the Portland Public School District, Jonathan participated in We The People for two years. He then joined the University of Oregon’s Mock Trial team while attending university, traveling and competing with his team for three years. Jonathan knows firsthand how impactful a holistic civic education can be for young people, and is excited to give back to the community he learned so much from as a youth.
Jonathan graduated from the University of Oregon in 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and English. A native Oregonian, when Jonathan is not in the office he can often be found skiing or camping on Mt. Hood and reading his favorite books.
Interested in joining our team? Take a look at our employment and volunteer opportunities.