summer

__** MIAMI-DADE COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (MDCSS) **__ __** SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT **__ Below are a list of amazing professional development opportunities during the summer. Some of these are free and others do have fees.

Thanks to Regina Stuck and Tom Glaser who presented this at our conference.

Contact Regina Stuck at rstuck@dadeschools.net for more insight.

__**Foundation for Teaching Economics**__ (FTE.org) has a variety of workshops, most are in the summer. They pay for your registration, a few meals and your room (you pay extra if you want a private room.) They application process is the easiest, first come, first served. I have attended a number of them and they are definitely worth the time. Many participants pay for a single room and bring family with them. There is often some free time worked into the schedule. They offer college credit at a very reasonable rate.

__**National Endowment for the Humanities**__ (www.neh.gov/index.html ) NEH offers amazing opportunities for professional development in the U.S. and abroad. There are summer seminars and institutes which range from two to six weeks. The Landmarks workshops are only for a week. You are expected to work hard but your time will be well spent. The selection process can be very difficult so don’t be discouraged if you are not accepted the first time you apply. Currently you can apply to a combination of three workshops but only attend one. They have also increased the stipend. Everything is pretty much paid for unless you go to one that is in the middle of nowhere. The application deadline is around March 1.

__**Florida Humanities Council**__ (www.flahum.org) FHC offers a variety of summer workshops. They are not yet on-line. Just be aware that some of their workshops are NEH institutes.

__**Civil War Preservation Trust**__ (www.civilwar.org) this organization offers a multitude of resources for teaching about the Civil War. Every summer they sponsor a teacher institute, usually in July. The location varies from summer to summer and the usual format is one and one half days in workshops and one day at a Civil War site. These are excellent. They pay for your registration and provide some meals. If you enjoy learning about the Civil War the expense is worth it.

__**Justice Teaching Institute**__ (www.floridasupremecourt.org) hosts an all expense paid workshop in February. (Feb. 13 – 17, 2011) They even pay for substitute coverage. This is a great way to learn about the judicial system of Florida. They really know how to treat teachersl!

__**Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History**__ (www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/seminars1.html) Gilder Lehrman hosts about 20 different summer workshops throughout the U.S. and Europe. You will spend about a week with some of the premier academic minds of American History. You can apply to three but only attend one. Then you have to sit out a few years before you can reapply. They pay for almost everything. These workshops are awesome! They really like to include teachers who have not attended many of these types of professional development opportunities. They have an earlier application deadline than most other summer institutes. Gilder Lehrman also has a school affiliate program which gives schools access to lesson plans, on-line resources, contests, exhibits, and more. It is free so take a look.

__**American Bar Association**__ (www.abanet.org) offers //Great Trials and Debates in United States History// each summer. Approximately 25 teachers from across the country attend this week-long institute in Washington. Everything is paid for including your own room in D.C. (yes, people brought their families) The institute will investigate 3 major trials and their significance to American history. Participants will also spend time at the Supreme and District Court. This year we were in Chambers with the Justices on the last day court was in session. The application is not difficult and the range of experience of the teachers ranged from a first year teacher to well over 30 years of experience. This is fabulous!

__**Goethe Institute**__ - Travel/Study Program to German. (www.goethe.de/uk/atl/enst.htm) The Goethe Institut pays for everything! The primary purpose is to educate educators about modern Germany. Each summer they sponsor four 12 day trips to Germany. Applications are due in early February. Time for a bit of Gemutlichkeit!

__**Dar al Islam Summer Institute**__ (www.daralislam.org) is held each summer in New Mexico. 2011 dates are July 5 – 17; applications must be received by April 1, 2011. This free summer institute will provide the participants with a wealth of knowledge about Islam. All expenses are paid.

__**Keizai Koho Center for Teacher Fellowships**__ (www.us-japan.org) 10 day travel and study in Japan. Check website for application deadline and trip dates. Check early to be safe.

__**Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers**__ (www.streetlaw.org) not free, you must pay registration and your own expenses. There might be some scholarship money

__**Seminars and Institutes at Ashland University**__ (www.teachingamericanhistory.org/institutes) They have a number of free one-week summer institutes, you have to get there on your own. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy: A summer Institute for Teachers (www.nps.gov.eise/instit.htm) costs money but take a look.

__**Fellowship in Korean Studies Program**__ (www.koreasociety.org) free two week study program to Korea

__**Rock and Roll Hall of Fame**__ (www.rockhall.com/programs/institute/asp) not free but if you want to incorporate music into your curriculum this would be the place to do it – Cleveland. June 20 – 24, 2011

__**National and International Opportunities for Teachers**__ (www.toyota4education.com) a number of different summer opportunities

__**The National Gallery of Art**__ (www.nga.gov) not free but worth every dime. Attended in the summer of 2010 and found this to be one of the best summer institutes I have attended. Came to the realization that since most had paid their own way they were more than serious about the content. This will always be on the top of my summer institutes – we were treated so well. Next summer it will again be about American Art. They change the focus every couple of years.

__**NCSS**__ offers summer institutes; they are not free but worth a look. www.ncss.org

__**Bill of Rights Institute**__ (www.billofrightsinstitute.org) Offer 1 day institutes across the country. Great website and lessons on line – take a look!

__**Stratford Hall**__ (www.stratfordhall.org ) they used to host the most amazing institute but had to cut back because of the current economy. They are now offering some single and multiple day institutes. Stratford Hall, the home of the Lees of Virginia is in a beautiful part of the state; perhaps plan an institute and a bit of vacation at the same time.

__**James Madison Memorial Foundation**__ (www.jamesmadison.com) not a workshop but…. How about having the U.S. government pay for your masters in American History or Social Studies Education? This competitive program will pay almost all of your expenses. You will have to spend one summer month at Georgetown University. Become a James Madison Fellow.