Teachers Supporting Teachers
Teachers understand the joys and challenges of teaching like no-one else. Each of us has a wealth of knowledge that other teachers can learn from. At the same time, there is always more for us to learn in order to grow our funds of knowledge: both in regards to content and pedagogy.
This is why the HTK has three inter-related goals to support Michigan (social studies) teachers:
1. A searchable website of vetted materials aimed to enable teachers to teach "full and complex" history.
2. Piloting teacher-centered professional learning groups (what we're calling Communities of Care.)
3. Professional development opportunities - both on this website and in person - to support diversifying social studies curriculum and, in so doing, teach more accurate history.
How each goal works for and with teachers is discussed in more detail below.
Sharing Resources
Have or know of a really wonderful resources that align with the goal of "teaching of the full and complex American history across subject areas including the histories of communities of color and other marginalized communities?"
Maybe you have:
- Lesson plans
- Unit plans
- Inquiries
Or perhaps you know of resources that:
- Build teacher and/or student background knowledge
- Teach pedagogical practices (how to teach)
- Support teachers in other ways.
If you have resources that meet the goals of this project, are working for you, and want to share, we'd love to know about them!
Please click here for our submission form.
Please note that suggested resources are vetted by committee to ensure they support the legislated goals of this project. If the committee approves, we will upload it as soon as we can. Regardless, we will keep you apprised of the process throughout.
Teacher-Centered Communities of Care
Teaching powerful social studies (National Council for the Social Studies, 2016), including meeting the unique needs of each student, can be a monumental task. Where do you go, who do you talk to when you need or want to discuss ideas and challenges?
As part of the History Toolkit, we are piloting a program aimed to build community, care, and empowerment among Michigan's K-12 (social studies) teachers, particularly those who may feel isolated.
If you are interested in learning more, please complete this linked form. A member of the History Toolkit team will follow up with you as soon as they can.
Professional Development Opportunties
Think the toolkit is cool in principal, but not sure how to implement it in your own classroom? We're here for you!
The HTK team is currently organizing professional development opportunities for teachers throughout Michigan intended to support that very question. More details to come!
In the meantime, if you have any questions or want to talk through ideas, please email Dr. Hannah Franklin Grisham, HTK Project Lead, at grishamh1@michigan.gov.