New scholarships will cover expenses for local teachers to attend Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Institute this summer.
A gift from Virginia Beach resident Jane Batten will support professional development scholarships for Hampton Roads teachers to attend Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Institute and will sponsor Teaching American History conferences in local school districts.
The $300,000 grant, which will be paid in three installments over three years, is a gift from the Batten Educational Achievement Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. CW’s Teacher Institute has attracted educators from all 50 states, but hopes to boost the amount of local teachers learning about the history that occurred in their own region.
The Batten gift will help cover the expenses for up to three Colonial Williamsburg Teaching American History conferences. The events will rotate around Hampton Roads’ school divisions and eventually, other divisions in the Commonwealth. The one- and two-day workshops occur during the school year and bring CW’s teaching techniques, including advice on lesson planning and hands-on activities, to school divisions.
The annual Teacher Institute offers sessions throughout the summer, grouping teachers by the age ranges they teach. Last summer, CW offered nine sessions for elementary school teachers, five for middle school teachers and two for high school teachers. Attendees spend a week in the Triangle, participating in on-site activities that provide insight into the historical events and notable people they discuss in class. Over 23 summers, the Teacher Institute has educated nearly 7,400 teachers.
The Teacher Institute experience also gives teachers a taste of life as an interpreter, docent or park ranger. Many dress in Colonial period garb to guide tours at Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement. They also get hands-on experience in some of the skilled trades of the era, from brickmaking to coopering (the creation of barrels). They end their week on the battlefields of Yorktown.
The Batten gift will be doled out in $1,900 scholarships, covering tuition, lodging in the Historic Area, meals, evening programs and a stipend to buy classroom resources. The cost of transportation is also provided. Read my previous Get Schooled about the Teacher Institute here.
Local teachers interested in applying for scholarships to attend the Teacher Institute or school districts wanting to schedule a Teaching American History conference should email [email protected] or call 757-565-8417 for more information.
Governor Declares 2013 ‘Year of the Teacher’
Gov. Bob McDonnell proclaimed Thursday that 2013 will be “The Year of the Teacher” in Virginia.
The Year of the Teacher will feature programs and special recognitions of teachers in Virginia as part of the governor’s All Students initiative, according to a press release.
To kick off the Year of the Teacher, citizens are invited to share stories about inspiring educators. Applicants should send an up-to-100 words essay on why a teacher should be recognized to [email protected]. The “My Favorite Teacher” contest will run through 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Submissions through email will be shared throughout the month on Facebook.
In his announcement, McDonnell remembered his own favorite teacher at St. Louis Catholic School in Alexandria. “I remember my third grade teacher, Mrs. Gikas,” he said. “She was a stickler for making sure that work was done on time without excuses, but she did it in a way that was encouraging and uplifting. She truly believed that her students could do anything if they put their mind to it. Mrs. Gikas was a teacher and mentor who both inspired and demanded excellence.”
