Annette Pitts

Biography

Annette Boyd Pitts is a nationally recognized law education and civic learning advocate and entrepreneur. Pitts is the director of the Justice Teaching Center, and she has worked in over 25 countries to advance education for democracy efforts. Throughout her career, Pitts has created a wide range of award-winning K-12 civics and law programs, instructional resources, and academic competition for students. Pitts has dedicated her professional life to educating the public about the judicial branch and its unique role in our constitutional structure. She is currently finalizing her doctoral research in civic learning. Pitts serves as the National Education Chair for the National Association of Women Judges Judicial Independence Committee. She also serves on the Judicial Education and Academic Network Committee where she chairs the Public Education subcommittee. Pitts is a widely respected civic and law education program developer, curriculum designer, trainer, and education policy consultant. She has administered trilateral international partnerships in Eastern/Central Europe and Latin America. Providing civic and law education services for three decades to teachers, students, and the legal/judicial communities, Pitts has received numerous state and national awards including the National Improvements in Justice Award, the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Advancements in Civic Education, American Bar Association Isidore Starr Award for Excellence in Law Related Education, the Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Citizen Award, and The Florida Bar President’s Merit Award for her contributions to public education and the justice system.

Pitts has authored numerous articles published in the International Journal of Social Education, Voir Dire, The Council for Basic Education, The Federal Lawyer, the American Forum, Quality Cities, The Florida Bar Journal, The Florida Voter, Social Education, and others. She has worked with various committees within The Florida Bar and the Florida Department of Education to assist in the development of state education standards in civics and government.

Pitts assisted in the development of the inaugural Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Institute, a multi-day professional development program for Florida teachers established under the leadership of Chief Justice Gerald Kogan. All seven Florida Supreme Court Justices served as faculty for the institute using a case study approach. Pitts also serves as faculty for numerous judicial colleges and conferences throughout the country. She holds advanced degrees from Florida State University and has continued graduate work at Harvard University. She is currently pursuing doctoral research in addition to her state and national education responsibilities. Her email is apitts@flsouthern.edu.