About the Program
A Weekend With George Washington is a 3-day, immersive residential program for teachers from Virginia. Attendees will participate in an intensive study of George Washington and his world through a curriculum which will include discussions led by noted Washington scholar, as well as hands-on workshops exploring Washington’s life and interests at Mount Vernon. Through study, discussion, tours, and projects participants will gain a new and deeper understanding of the life and character of George Washington and his unique legacy in creating and shaping the principles of America’s democracy.
Sessions Include
• Primary Source Workshop: The Mount Vernon Collection
• The Music of Washington's Time
• Revolution: New England vs. Virginia
• Teaching with Place: Slavery at Mount Vernon
• Numerous Classroom Application Sessions
Application Process
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
- Online Application
- Resume List relevant education and teaching history. Special attention will be given to leadership roles held, recent professional development, student engagement techniques, and examples of innovative and adaptive teaching strategies.
- Essay Explain your reasons for applying along with how George Washington and the 18th-century world is relevant to your teaching, your personal teaching philosophy, and how you will take what you’ve learned and make an impact on your learning communities. Essays should be no more than 500 words.
- Letter of Support One letter of support addressing your skill, ability, and experience as a teacher and indicating support for the responsibilities outlined in the Participant Obligation Pledge from a person in a school or district leadership role where you are currently employed.
Participant Obligation Pledge
The primary goal of the George Washington Teacher Institute is to increase the understanding of George Washington, his legacy, and the context of the 18th-century world in which he lived. As an attendee you will contribute to this goal by working directly with your students, as well as through in-service training and team meetings with your peers. All participants must agree to support this goal and complete the following requirements:
- Fully and actively participate and contribute in ALL Institute activities
- Conduct a minimum of one district level or state level in-service presentation that reaches teachers beyond those that you work with on a daily basis
- Submit a report on the in-service presentation within the required time frame
Participants Will Have the Opportunity To
- Examine the character and accomplishments of George Washington while living on his 18th Century estate
- Engage in active discussion of 18th Century history with lead scholar Dr. Ed Lengel (The Washington Papers)
- Explore Mount Vernon through interactive workshops and tours
- Connect lessons to the C3 Framework and discuss how to strengthen teaching history in all aspects of curriculum
- Return to your classroom with new knowledge, teaching materials and enthusiasm to share with your students and colleagues