The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum today announced that it will host a one-day spring workshop for 25 Virginia history teachers on Monday, April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The workshop continues the second year of a three-year program of history education seminars for high school teachers from Waynesboro Public Schools and seven other Virginia school districts. The program is made possible by a Teaching American History grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Waynesboro Public Schools received the grant in partnership with the Presidential Library, Augusta County Schools, Amherst County Schools, Fredericksburg City Schools and Winchester Public Schools. Teachers from Staunton City, Rockingham County, and Rockbridge County will also be participating.
The workshop will support a week-long summer institute held in June as part of a professional development curriculum entitled “Critical Connections in American History.” In addition to this coming summer’s institute, the teachers will continue the program with a visit to Gettysburg. The curriculum is designed to improve the teachers’ knowledge and appreciation of American history by focusing on critical connections in America’s past.
During the second year of the program, which focuses on the 19th century, the teachers are examining four topics: immigration and the economic transformation of the U.S., the Civil War and Reconstruction, the making of modern corporate America, and the U.S. emergence as an imperial power.
Through the participating teachers, the Teaching American History grant will enhance the history education of thousands of students over the term of the grant. The project is designed to strengthen teachers’ understanding of American history, impart a sense of the interplay of factors that influenced national development, provide knowledge of primary documents and material artifacts, demonstrate the use of advanced technology and, ultimately, improve students’ performance on standardized tests in American history.
Those interested in more information about this program should contact Dr. Joel Hodson, Director of Education at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, at (540) 885-0897, extension 103, or jhodson@woodrowwilson.org.

