Teaching American History? ? ? ?
by Linda Matts and Anna Bartsch
What is TAH?
TAH is a federally-funded grant that strives to help teachers learn to teach traditional American History. The first workshop was held in the summer of 2003. There the group participants developed strategies that would help teachers to help students to become more interested in the study of history; especially American History. We have continued to grow and get stronger. Just ask teachers in the Region 5 area. They will be happy to tell you about the program.
Is it worth it??
Those of us who have participated certainly think so. Why? FOUR reasons come to mind: the first is the fantastic opportunity to learn history, the second is the networking achieved, the third is the deep bonds of friendship that developed from living and working with people for three weeks and fourth is MONEY.
This workshop pays you to attend. No only do you get the opportunity to learn some fascinating history but you also share an amazing experience with other teachers. You live at SHSU for 5 days a week and go home on the weekends. Best of all, you earn a stipend for attendance. How cool does $2500 sound? This is the opportunity you should not pass up.
The networking opportunities as well as the bonds of friendship are beyond compare. I know this sounds like a scene from a movie script but it is TRUE. In each of the years this program has been in effect we, as participants, celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, had baby showers, met fiancés and spouses, and shared in many other life experiences.
What is expected?
A lot was expected and yet not a lot. We read a lot; dressed very casually (shorts and sandals); walked a lot (yes, it was hot, but o.k.); read a lot, ate a lot, laughed and played a lot, shopped, read, and wrote (did I mention we READ?). We did all of this and had a blast doing it!
