Connecting to the Past is a professional development program designed to support and improve the teaching of American history. Participation is open to teachers in grades four to eight in Ashland, Holmes, Wayne, and Medina Counties. Connecting to the Past combines the resources of the Tri-County Educational Service Center, the Ohio Historical Society, and the Ohio State University.
Each year, twenty-four teachers will participate in an Orientation seminar and three out of four offered content seminars. Participants will also take part in two historic site-based seminars, and attend a five-day Summer Institute at Ohio State University in Columbus.
The program content will revolve around three core themes:
- Peopling the New World: Immigration and Migration of Natives and Newcomers
- Creating the New Nation: The Revolution and Constitutional Development
- Growing the Nation: Transportation, Communication, and Westward Movement
Connecting to the Past seminars feature engaging content-focused presentations from Ohio State’s award-winning history faculty, as well as distinguished teachers and scholars from other colleges and universities.
At each seminar the Project Curator introduces participants to primary sources (such as letters, photos, maps, and documents) related to the core theme, along with ways to take these sources back to the classroom.
Lead Teachers help participants apply what they have learned to their teaching. The Lead Teachers are experienced classroom teachers from area schools. They share their experiences and techniques and facilitate peer learning.
Participating teachers receive:
- A Stipend
- OSU graduate credit (5 hours)
- Books, primary source CDs, & other materials
- Payment to school districts for substitutes for school-day events
- Collaboration with colleagues
