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Humanities Texas is now accepting applications for our 2015 summer teacher professional development institutes. "American Presidents and the Nation, 1970–2000" will take place in Austin from June 7–10, and "From Colonists to Revolutionaries" will take place in Fort Worth from June 15–18.

Program partners include The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts, the LBJ Presidential Library, Texas Christian University, and the TCU Center for Texas Studies.

As in past years, institutes will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.

American Presidents and the Nation, 1970–2000

The institute in Austin (June 7–10), titled "American Presidents and the Nation, 1970–2000," will take place at the LBJ Presidential Library and focus on standards in the state's eleventh-grade U.S. history curriculum. Topics to be addressed include the presidencies of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as economic issues, the women's movement, and the Persian Gulf.

From Colonists to Revolutionaries

The institute in Fort Worth (June 15–18), titled "From Colonists to Revolutionaries," will take place at Texas Christian University and focus on standards in the state's eighth-grade U.S. history curriculum. Topics to be covered include European exploration and colonization of North America, the economic life of the British Colonies, the development of representative government and political institutions, the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the situation of American Indians during the colonial and revolutionary periods, women in the Spanish borderlands, and the history of Texas during the Mexican national and revolutionary periods.

Both institutes are open to secondary-level social studies teachers in Texas schools. 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 application as soon as possible, as admissions are rolling and space is limited.

Please note that due to space limitations, you must be a registered participant to attend any of the institutes.

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

Five U.S. presidents and first ladies attend the funeral of Richard Nixon, April 27, 1994. White House photo office. William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.
Detail from the Constitution mural in the rotunda of the National Archives, Washington, DC, by Barry Faulkner, 1936. National Archives and Records Administration.