The summer institute "Past to Present: Teaching the History & Legacies of Enslavement and Facilitating Classroom Conversations on Complex Topics" seeks to establish a robust learning community among K-12 educational professionals nationwide. Participants will delve into curricular materials designed for teaching the history of enslavement. Through critical discussions, they will address the challenges of navigating and facilitating complex conversations related to this history and its enduring legacies across diverse perspectives.

When & Where:

July 8 - 12, 2024

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA 02138

Summer Teacher Institute with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture

The Story of Virginia Institute takes a timeline approach to exploring Virginia history, with each day of the 1 week program focused on a different time period, and the majority of gallery time spent in our award-winning Story of Virginia exhibition.

Participants will enjoy a mix of exhibit tours, primary source analysis, guest speakers, and self-guided time to explore. In addition, educators will strengthen their historical thinking skills – sourcing, contextualization, corroboration, and close reading. The VMHC team will provide examples of object-based activities, performance-based assessments, and tips and techniques for engaging students of all ages with primary sources. While yearly lecture and activity topics may change slightly, please view last year’s schedule to see the general structure of this program. 

This institute is open to all K-12 public or private school teachers, though content covered is most directly applicable to Virginia Studies, US 1, US II, and VA-US content. This institute includes stipends for all K-12 public and private school participants in addition to a limited number of travel scholarships

When & Where:

July 8 - 12, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Richmond, VA 23220

The Moton Museum, Virginia’s only civil rights National Historic Landmark, is located in Farmville, in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The Museum is housed in the former Robert Russa Moton High School, which served as the high school for African Americans during segregation. It was here in 1951 that Barbara Johns led a student strike in protest of the school’s inadequate facilities, as compared to the neighboring white schools. Visitors will watch our introductory film, tour the galleries, and participate in a strike activity. Moton staff will also share museum resources.

When & Where:

July 15, 2024

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Robert Russa Moton Museum

900 Griffin Boulevard

Farmville, VA 23901

Join us for a full day experience at Monticello with tours including stories of the many people, free and enslaved, who lived and labored on this 5,000-acre plantation. Also, join an archaeologist for a walk to an active archaeological site. The day will include a Q&A with some of Monticello's scholars, interpreters and the Monticello Teacher Institute Team where you can learn about our ongoing work and classroom resources. Lunch from Monticello's Farm Table Cafe is included.

When & Where:

July 16, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monticello

1050 Monticello Loop

Charlottesville, VA 22902

A half day trip to the American Civil War Museum. The field trip will include a site tours, program demonstrations, discussions, and a reception in the lobby. 

When & Where:

July 17, 2024

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

American Civil War Museum - Historic Tredegar

480 Tredegar Street

Richmond, VA 23219

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum explores the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, recordings that set the foundation for commercial country music, along with the technology that made them possible, and their impact on American music. Through film and interactive experiences, text panels, and objects, this musical history comes alive! Attendees will engage in a tour of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, followed by an introduction to related K-12 lesson plans and other educational resources. These educational assets connect to multiple VA state standards, including Social Sciences, ELA, Music, Physical Education, Math, Appalachian Studies, and STEM.

When & Where:

July 17, 2024

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

101 Country Music Way 

Bristol, VA 24201

Educators will receive a guided tour of Woodrow Wilson's birthplace house, led by our education team, a visit to the museum, and a behind-the-scenes experience.

When & Where:

July 19, 2024

9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

20 North Coalter Street 

Staunton, VA 24401

In collaboration with VCSS and VAM, this teacher-exclusive, full-day experience at the National Museum of the Marine Corps explores the role that the Marine Corps played in shaping American History. This field trip consists of guided tours, interactive presentations, and activities that center on historical and pedagogical resources. Specific presentations and activities will cover the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Marine Corps Combat Art Program. Lunch is on-your-own, with options available inside the Museum and throughout the surrounding area. Field trip activities will be followed by a free happy hour beginning at 4:30 in Tun Tavern (located in the Museum). Important dates, as well as the registration form, can be found below

When & Where:

July 19, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

National Museum of the Marine Corps

1775 Semper Fidelis Way

Triangle, VA 22172

With the successful completion of this 2 1/2 day in person class and its requirements, your school division may allow you to apply for up to 45 recertification points.  Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy which link to the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about best practices and resources that you can use in the classroom when teaching the Holocaust. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources.

From Context to Classroom Part II is recommended for teachers who have already completed the first TEI class (From Context to Classroom Part I). To complete class requirements, you must fully participate, which includes pre-reading and the use of the online platform Canvas and a final project.  A certificate of completion, the $200 stipend and the reimbursement of the $30 registration fee will be sent to you after the class and when all requirements are met.

Application Deadline: July 1st, 2024

Stipend: $200 (plus the registration fee reimbursement)

Registration Fee: $30, reimbursed with successful completion of all class requirements

Earn up to 45 points towards recertification

$500 Scholarships are available for teachers 50 miles outside of Richmond.  Scholarships are to help cover travel, lodging, and meals.  Please contact Megan Ferenczy (mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) to apply.

When & Where:

Virginia Holocaust Museum

Richmond, VA

July 15-17, 2024, 8:30am to 5pm

(the last day of class ends at 1:30pm)

Summer Teacher Institute with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Applications are open for two 2024 Summer Teacher Institute sessions that are free for Virginia teachers.

July 22-25: Elementary teachers will explore the 18th century and the American Revolution at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Both institutes are designed with an eye to the 2023 Virginia History and Social Studies SOLs and feature immersive activities, lectures and collaboration with fellow Virginia teachers and museum staff.

Program details and applications are available at 

When & Where:

Elementary Teachers

July 22-25

Did you know that Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg has one of Virginia's largest collections of genealogy and archival materials? During this half day visit, take a tour of the stacks with our archival staff, search for your ancestors using our databases and resources, and enjoy networking time over refreshments with colleagues and friends old and new.

When & Where:

July 25, 2024

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Jones Memorial Library

2311 Memorial Avenue 

Lynchburg, VA 24501

Summer Teacher Institute with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Participants will learn to approach Virginia’s vast history from a geographical and cultural perspective while enjoying a mix of exhibit tours, primary source analysis, guest speakers, and self-guided time to explore. Each day of the 1 week program will focus on a specific region of Virginia, and the VMHC team will provide examples of object-based activities, performance-based assessments, and tips and techniques for engaging students of all ages with primary sources. While yearly lecture and activity topics may change slightly, please view last year’s schedule to see the general structure of this program.

This paid institute is open to all K-12 public or private school teachers and includes stipends for all participants in addition to a limited number of travel scholarships.

When & Where:

July 22 - 26, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Richmond, VA 23220

Cohort Summer Teacher Institute Kickoff

Become part of the We the People network—a nationwide K-12 civic education professional development and implementation network, impacting more than 100,000 teachers and 30 million students since inception!

WHAT WILL I GET? 

• 52 hours of free professional development in a learning community with mentors and other teachers, beginning with an in-person Summer Institute at James Madison's Montpelier from July 22-26, 2024 

• Free classroom set of "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" textbooks and teacher’s guide

• An $800 stipend for your time, a free stay In the Constitutional Village at James Madison’s Montpelier, and catered meals 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Teachers in grades 6-12 who work with classes of 30% or more high need students (Title I schools, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, or other underserved students) 

• No prior experience participating in professional development about or teaching We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

When & Where:

July 22 - 26, 2024

James Madison's Montpelier

Orange, VA

Cohort Summer Teacher Institute Kickoff

Become part of the We the People network—a nationwide K-12 civic education professional development and implementation network, impacting more than 100,000 teachers and 30 million students since inception!

WHAT WILL I GET? 

• 52 hours of free professional development in a learning community with mentors and other teachers, beginning with an in-person Summer Institute at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, from July 29-August 2nd, 2024

• Free classroom set of "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" textbooks and teacher’s guide

• An $800 stipend for your time, a free stay at the historic Linden Row Inn, and all meals provided 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Teachers in grades 4-8 who work with classes of 30% or more high need students (Title I schools, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, or other underserved students) 

• No prior experience participating in professional development about or teaching We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

When & Where:

July 29 - August 2, 2024

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Richmond, VA 23220

Preservation Virginia invites social studies teachers to Patrick Henry's Scotchtown for a dedicated visit to explore the 18th century site through tours and participate in a staff-led source analysis activity engaging themes of the American Paradox of liberty and slavery. Afterwards, learn about Scotchtown's student programs and join the teachers and Scotchtown staff in a happy hour with light bites. Admission, lunch, snacks, and happy hour provided free of charge.

When & Where:

July 31, 2024

10:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Patrick Henry's Scotchtown

16120 Chiswell Lane 

Beaverdam, VA 23015

Participants will begin their day with a tour of the Jamestown Settlement galleries and interpretive areas – Paspahegh Town, reproduction ships, and James Fort – followed by time to explore the site on their own. In the afternoon, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation educators will lead participants as we explore the impact the Powhatan, English, and African Peoples had on each other using the lens of the English and Powhatan capitals and the growth of the Virginia colony. We’ll then explore how we know what we know about history through our newest virtual program, Digging into Archeology.

Teachers will also have an opportunity to explore our temporary special exhibition, Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.

When & Where:

August 1, 2024

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Jamestown Settlement

2110 Jamestown Road 

Williamsburg, VA 23185

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is the only museum in Virginia offering field trips and teacher resources spanning the entirety of Virginia's history. This field trip will introduce teachers to our exhibits & favorite objects, classroom activities, and even include a sneak peak at our upcoming American Revolution 250th Anniversary exhibition, opening in March 2025. Afterwards, participants can gather for a happy hour in our cafe!

Specific workshop content will depend on grade levels and subjects of registered teachers, but VMHC offers scalable resources for all age levels. Feel free to contact Director of Education Maggie Creech at mcreech@virginiahistory.org with any questions.

Participants can park in the lot behind the VMHC & have their parking validated at the front desk.

When & Where:

August 2, 2024

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, VA 23220