Stratford Hall Teacher Institute: Reading Over the Shoulder: Teaching with Diaries and other People’s Mail

The 2022 Teacher Institute will be held virtually via Zoom.

People write diaries and letters for many reasons: to vent, to initiate and sustain relationships, to hone their writing, to set down happenings of historical and personal significance, to explore who they are and who they wish to be, and to rough-draft autobiographies and memoirs. This workshop will help teachers become comfortable using diverse digital archives and these genres to inspire students’ interest in history.

This three-day online teacher workshop examines a selection of historical diaries and letters, providing teachers with the tools to help students engage with history through this tissue of private and semi-private communications. More general reflection on these genres and their limits and possibilities will be supplemented by sessions modeling how to use these resources to capture student interest. The workshop will highlight the use of online archives and digital humanities projects, and introduce teachers to digital technologies for collaborative reading and analysis. Primary source documents will cover topics such as slavery, war, civil rights, religion, and gender. Teachers will hear from scholars and archivists who will illuminate the archive, rendering dynamic and engaging student projects.

 Application Process

Please submit a letter of interest including your full name, school name, grade and subject you teach, and your particular interest in this year’s institute. Send to Matt Torres, Program Coordinator: MTorres@StratfordHall.org. Admission is on a rolling basis

Please send questions to Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, KDeetz@StratfordHall.org.

April VGA Steering Committee Meeting: The date of the spring VGA steering committee meeting was changed to accommodate other events and conferences.  The new date is April 30th.  Please send any proposals and agenda items by mid-April to Annie Evans (annie@bunkhistory.org), Mike Allen (mallen@odu.edu), and Frances Coffey (francesacoffey@gmail.com).

GEOGRAPHY is a bridge to a better understanding and appreciation
of all subjects.

Due to popular demand, NCGE has reopened the 2022 GeoCamp applications.

A limited number of spots are available and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Don’t wait and risk missing out on all the Exploration and Discovery that Awaits…RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!

GeoCamp Iceland
June 28 – July 8, 2022

This fantastic summer institute is a graduate-level equivalent, a short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for in-service teachers and education professionals. Iceland’s extraordinary and unique landscapes will be our classroom and laboratory.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 5, 2022
Explore Iceland!

GeoCamp Amazon
July 18 – July 27, 2022

Explore the Amazon for nine magical days. A place where the endless wonder of nature and the endearing quality of the local people will capture your heart, engage your imagination and change you

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 5, 2022
Explore the Amazon!

Not sure if GeoCamp is right for you? Find Out More Now!

If you are considering participating in the NCGE GeoCamp 2022 program but need more information, we invite you to watch one of our on-demand GeoCamp informational sessions. NCGE GeoCamp representatives will share their expertise and personal experiences.

GeoCamp Iceland AMA (Ask Me Anything) Session: Watch Now

GeoCamp Amazon AMA (Ask Me Anything) Session: Watch Now

NCGE COVID policy: Based on our experience last year, we are planning on holding these GeoCamp programs this summer. Should the situation change with regard to COVID, as we approach the departure date, a full refund will be given.

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 5, 2022

NCGE GeoCamp Iceland 2022
June 28 – July 8, 2022, including travel days

Six $3100 VGA Scholarships are available for Virginia educators.

The award will be in two parts:

• $2600 reimbursement for field costs after completing the GeoCamp field experience.
• $500 reimbursement after completing an appropriate learning resource/activity/presentation.

Course Description

The NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland Institute is a graduate-level equivalent, short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for in-service teachers and other education professionals. Iceland’s extraordinary and unique landscapes are the classroom and laboratory. The course draws content from several important geographic themes including natural hazards and disaster prevention; human settlement and environmental adaptation; changing geopolitical spheres of influence; sense of place; and global environmental change.

Applications are due 1 February 1 March 2022. Notifications of acceptance will be made after February 15, 2022. A $1000 deposit is due by March 1, 2022, with the balance due on or before May 1, 2022.

Applicants should apply to both NCGE and VGA. Ellen Foster and Bob Morrill will receive applications for review and will coordinate acceptance. Bob Morrill, Frances Coffey and one other VGA member will evaluate applications.

Applications and program description at: https://ncge.org/programs/geocamp-iceland/

VGA contact person: Bob Morrill at morrill@vt.edu

In addition to completing the information on the NCGE GeoCamp application, Virginia applicants will provide a statement of administrative support to develop Iceland related learning resources based on their field experiences during the institute. Use attached statement form.

NCGE COVID policy: Based on our experience last year, we are planning on holding these GeoCamp programs this summer. Should the situation change with regard to COVID, as we approach the departure date, a full refund will be given.

Meridian Projects—previously known as Explorer Community Collaboration Grants—empower our community of National Geographic Explorers to collaborate and connect across disciplines to maximize and accelerate impact through innovative, interdisciplinary projects and solutions. The deadline for this opportunity is November 3, 2021. Learn more and find application here.

National Geographic Society Grants Program provides seed funding and support to early career individuals, as well as those more advanced in their careers, who are working to address critical challenges, advance new solutions, and inspire positive transformation. The deadline for these opportunities is November 18, 2021. Learn more and find application here.

This program is categorized into two levels:

• Level I (formerly known as Early Career Grants): Funding for individuals who may be earlier in their career, or those looking to establish themselves better in their field, who are not already National Geographic Explorers. (2019-2020 Young Explorers and recipients of the COVID-19 Emergency Journalism and Remote Learning Funds may apply for Level I).
• Level II (formerly known as Exploration Grants): Funding for seasoned experts who have led multiple projects with well-defined strategies and long-lasting impact goals. Anyone can apply, including current National Geographic Explorers.

First Annual Fall K-12 Educators’ Conference will be offered by the Center for European Union, Transatlantic & Trans-European Space Studies (CEUTTSS), a European Union Jean Monnet Center of Excellence at Virginia Tech, December 4-5, 2021 In-person event will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech.

Topics include nationalism in Europe, the EU and the Environment, the interactions between Europe and its periphery, and its language and identity. Program also includes an evening of Irish/Appalachian square dancing and whiskey tasting.

For more information and registration form go to https://liberalarts.vt.edu/research-centers/ceuttss/events/2021/Fall21K12.html

Application deadline October 26, 2021

Texas State University wishes to announce the availability of a 100% Online PhD program in Geography Education. This academic program could prepare teachers for careers in educational research, teaching at all levels, and school district administration. Small scholarships are available. Keep your job and work with the exceptional faculty at Texas State University and complete your degree in 4 years. Must have a Master’s Degree in Geography or cognate discipline, such as social studies. In our 1st year (2020-2021) we enrolled 11 students. We also have a 100% Online Master’s Degree in Geography Education.

For information on either of these degrees, email our Graduate Staff Advisor, Allison Smith at am13@txstate.edu.

Informational Links:

• PhD program: https://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/programs/geo-ed-phd.html
• Master’s Program: http://mycatalog.txstate.edu/graduate/liberal-arts/geography/geography-geoeducation-mageo/

July 26 – July 30, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Participate in this week-long digital professional development to earn re-certification points while exploring the history of Virginia, project-based learning, and teaching with primary sources.

REGISTER

Other upcoming VMHC events

The Virginia Geographic Alliance is excited to offer the online, 8-hour professional development workshop, #YouCanMapThat: Using GIS to Enhance the Classroom.  It is open to grades K-12 faculty and pre-service teachers and is limited to 40 participants.  Register here.

Location:  Online via Zoom
Time: June 22 and 23, 2021. 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (with optional homework assignment)

This Online Instructor-led Professional Development Program will teach you to:

• Access and utilize 100+ classroom ready 15-Minute GeoInquiries for US History, Human Geography, World History, US Government, Mathematics, Language Arts, and Earth Science
• Use web maps as a bell-ringer, a lesson plan, and/or a classroom discussion tool
• Create customized Web Maps that embed text, primary source Images, YouTube videos, and much more.  To access a sample map on the Louisiana Purchase go to: http://arcg.is/1xvC7Pg
• Register your school for a free site-license for Esri’s ArcGIS Online software (Up to 500 accounts).

Other benefits include:

• 8 Continuing Education/Recertification Points
• free supplemental workbook and lesson plans
• access to an online Professional Learning Community
• $25,00 Amazon Gift Card for successfully participating in the workshop.

REGISTRATION IS ON A FIRST COME BASIS & IS LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS.

Register by 11:59 PM June 13, 2021