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This summer, Humanities Texas will conduct in-person professional development programs for social studies and English language arts teachers. Programs include "The Cold War: History, Literature, and Culture" (Austin, June 3–6), "Teaching the Literatures of Texas" (San Antonio, June 11–14), "Teaching Evidence-Based Reading Practices at the Secondary Level" (Houston, June 20–21), and "The New Nation: America, 1800–1860" (Fort Worth, June 24–27).

Program partners include the LBJ Presidential Library, the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at San Antonio, the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin, and Texas Christian University.

All programs will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources and texts, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.

The Cold War: History, Literature, and Culture (In-Person Institute)

"The Cold War: History, Literature, and Culture" will take place in Austin at the LBJ Presidential Library from June 3–6. The institute will expand participants' understanding of the history of the Cold War and its representation in literature and culture. Presentations on the history of the Cold War will cover topics including the origins of the Cold War; containment; the Cuban Missile Crisis; the Vietnam War; Nixon, China, and the Cold War; and the legacy of the Cold War. Additional presentations will focus on the literature, film, music, and popular culture of the era.

Teaching the Literatures of Texas (In-Person Institute)

"Teaching the Literatures of Texas" will take place on the campus of The University of Texas at San Antonio from June 11–14. The institute will offer insight into how Texas writers engage the state’s history, culture, and identity in poetry, prose, young adult fiction, and popular culture. Presentations will also address how to develop students' critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.

Teaching Evidence-Based Reading Practices at the Secondary Level (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching Evidence-Based Reading Practices at the Secondary Level" will take place at The KBC Houston from June 20–21. The workshop will include sessions on research-based approaches to teaching reading and content-area literacy with an emphasis on social studies texts. Faculty presentations will focus on developing students’ word study, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.

The New Nation: America, 1800-1860 (In-Person Institute)

"The New Nation: America, 1800-1860" will take place in Fort Worth on the campus of Texas Christian University from June 24–27. The institute will cover the rise of United States political parties, the election of 1800, Jefferson and westward expansion, the Marshall Court, the War of 1812, foreign policy in the new nation, the market revolution and industrialization, the age of Jackson, the expansion of slavery in the early nineteenth century, Native Americans in the Early Republic, the Abolitionist Movement, Manifest Destiny, rising sectionalism, and the U.S.–Mexican War. In addition, Humanities Texas will introduce the curriculum set Pivotal U.S. Elections. Activities and lessons included in the curriculum emphasize reading, writing, and historical thinking skills.

These institutes and workshops are open to all middle and high school social studies, language arts, and humanities teachers but will focus on topics and skills central to the state's secondary-level U.S. history, Texas history, and English language arts curricula. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.

More information about each program is available in the Education section of the Humanities Texas website. Teachers interested in attending should submit an online application as soon as possible, as admissions are rolling and space is limited.

Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. CPE hours will be based on attendance and adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program.

Please note that due to space limitations, you must be a registered participant to attend any of the in-person workshops.

These programs are made possible with major funding from the State of Texas with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.