This past weekend, I was granted the incredible opportunity to go to Charlottesville, VA for a weekend seminar with Teaching American History on Thomas Jefferson, which included some time at Monticello, my third favorite home of a Founder. It also didn’t hurt that UVA was in the Final Four and won that Saturday!
Let me start off with the fact that my degree is in Early Childhood Development and Education. I got a Masters in Secondary Education with a History Emphasis, but my knowledge of documents, content, and all around history knowledge has come about differently in my 16 years of teaching as opposed to a history major.
I am also a firm believer that before I assign something to my students, I need to have done my homework. It easier when you have experiences like this!
This is my second weekend seminar, the first being a few years ago at Montpelier. You can actually access the readers from the one day or weekend seminars through the site, even if you don’t go!
Reasons you NEED to apply for these seminars (weekend, one days, etc):
- You will be exposed to readings you may have not seen before. Not only will you read them, but you will be able to discuss them!
- Hearing from other teachers. I always think this is the best PD, knowing what other teachers are doing and thinking. This group of teachers was one of the best!
- The ability to travel to the locations!
- The professors that facilitate the discussions are amazing. I never feel wrong. I am able to ask questions to truly understand what I’m reading.
- Because of these seminars, both weekend and one day, I am better at analyzing documents and creating lessons
- I start to lesson plan in my head, or think of questions to prompt my students to think of other ways to look at documents.
- I may have started to understand the juxtaposition of Jefferson’s stance on slavery and the fact that he owned slaves. May have being the key word there.
APPLY FOR THESE SEMINARS! I am a better learner and teacher because of them. I’ve gone to some one day seminars here in Phoenix knowing next to nothing about what I’ve read and I always learn so much. Don’t be shy!
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I love PD sessions! I have been unable to go as much as I have wanted to with kiddos; however, they are growing up and it will be easier for them to tend to themselves and not have to worry about child care. My husband always supports me in this, too, which is awesome! I would also encourage people to do online seminars–there are many to choose from, but one that comes to mind right off hand is Gilder Lehrman. And I thing TAH has some as well. Thanks for posting–I’m always encouraged by what you share!
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