“This is an unsolicited endorsement of this graduate credit class, Connecting to the Past. I took part in it last year, and I found it stimulating with exceptional application to my own classroom. If you have never taken part in this course, it would be beneficial for both you and your students.” An 8th grade teacher
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.
Connecting to the Past is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Teaching American History grant.
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: Technology, Industrialism, and Expansion
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.
| "This class provided a great opportunity to deepen my understanding and connect with my other history-teaching peers. . . I Feel renewed and energized." A fourth grade teacher | “It was great. I learned a lot! I also didn’t realize what valuable tools primary sources were until I took the class.” |
“A memorable learning experience. Who says that history can’t be fun!” An 8th grade teacher |
Participating teachers receive:
- A Stipend of $800
- A materials reimbursement allowance of $600 (Please visit the Materials Reimbursement page for more information)
- OSU graduate credit (5 hours)
- Books, primary source CDs, & other materials
- Payment to school districts for substitutes for school-day events ( a form for your school district to use to claim this payment can be found HERE. )
- Collaboration with colleagues
