The National World War II Museum in New Orleans is now accepting applications for its second annual Summer Teacher Institute. The 2017 institute will be led by renowned WWII scholar and New York Times bestselling author Donald L. Miller. It will focus on the European Theater of Operations during the war. The institute takes place in three phases, starting with an intensive week-long seminar in New Orleans (July 16-22, 2017), utilizing the vast resources of the Museum, including the expertise of educators, curators, and historians, to explore strategies for teaching about the war in Europe. Then, during the 2017-2018 school year, participants will partner with Museum educators to develop and present their own professional development workshops. Finally, the cohort will reconvene in Normandy, France, the following summer (July 15-21, 2018) to explore firsthand the site of the 1944 D-Day landings, the largest amphibious invasion in history. Prior to both summer sessions, participants will interact with Dr. Miller, Museum educators, and one another through preparatory readings and online discussions. Participants may receive up to six graduate credits for their work in the Institute.
The Summer Teacher Institute is open to any high school teacher at an accredited public, charter, private, or parochial school who has at least two years experience as of July 2017 and who will be teaching during the 2017-2018 school year. Teachers of subjects other than social studies may apply, but should explain in their application how they plan to incorporate World War II themes into their curriculum. Media specialists, librarians, curriculum coordinators, and academic coaches are also eligible provided they spend at least half of their time providing direct instruction to students. Applications will be evaluated through a competitive process that will include information on teaching experience, two short written statements, and two letters of recommendation. The Museum seeks to recruit a diverse cohort of teachers. Participants must be willing and able to travel abroad, and must hold a current U.S. passport valid through August 2018. Teachers will receive room and board in New Orleans and Normandy, a travel stipend, and all seminar readings free of charge. Graduate credits are also free for those who choose to receive them.
For more information and the online application, visit: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/institute. For questions about the program or the application process, contact Teacher Programs & Curriculum Coordinator Joshua Goodman at Joshua.goodman@nationalww2museum.org or (504)-528-1944, ext. 264. Applications are due February 1, 2017.