Teach the District is a five-day summer professional development program that brings local history to life and encourages civic engagement through history-informed action. Held annually in July, this paid program is for DC 3rd-12th grade teachers in any discipline.
Teach the District is an immersive program that gives teachers new skills and perspectives, understandings of the cross-curricular value of local history, and models for engagement with local institutions. Participants also gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to local cultural heritage organizations and take part in hands-on inquiry-based learning activities.
Over the five days, participants connect with collections representatives and museum educators to develop a classroom resource to implement with their students. The resource should incorporate materials and ideas shared during the program and can be used on its own or as inspiration for a student-led, teacher-directed civic engagement project that addresses an issue in your community.
Participants receive a $600 stipend at the completion of the program and deliverables.
Who Should Apply
Teach the District is designed for educators in Washington, DC who work in 3rd-12th grade classes and want to incorporate local history into what they teach.
While most applicants are from humanities classrooms, Teach the District welcomes math, science, and other disciplines, along with social studies, language arts, fine/performing arts, ESL, ELL, SPED, and GT classrooms. We also encourage applications from those who teach as school librarians and media specialists.
Application Details
Teacher, 6th grade
Stuart-Hobson Middle Capitol Hill, Washington DC