David Aldred is the Academic Partnerships Director for the Independent Institute. He spent 21 years as a Florida social studies educator, teaching economics, history, and law studies, and in 2018 was named Teacher of the Year at his Tampa high school. David was also an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College for 17 years. He served as a Civics Literacy Coach as part of the Florida Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative, working with educators to strengthen civics instruction in Florida classrooms. He earned his B.A. in English and History from the University of Florida and his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.