Upcoming Institutes

Teaching the Literatures of Texas (2024 In-Person Institute)

From June 11–14, 2024, Humanities Texas will partner with The University of Texas at San Antonio to hold a professional development institute for English language arts (ELA) teachers focusing on how Texas writers engage the state’s history and culture.

Dates and Location

The institute will take place on the campus of The University of Texas at San Antonio from June 11–14, 2024.

Curriculum

Content will be aligned with the TEKS. 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.

Like all Humanities Texas teacher programs, the institute will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of texts, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.

Faculty

Coleman Hutchison (The University of Texas at Austin) will serve as faculty director for the institute. Faculty for the institute will include Sonia Alemán and John Phillip Santos of The University of Texas at San Antonio, Cordelia E. Barrera (Texas Tech University) David Oscar Bowles and Emmy Pérez of The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Amy Earhart (Texas A&M University), John Morán González and Bret Anthony Johnston of The University of Texas at Austin, William Jensen (Texas State University), and Richard Z. Santos (Austin Bat Cave).

Eligibility

The institute is open to secondary-level English language arts (ELA) teachers in Texas schools. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.

Stipend, Travel Reimbursement, and CPE Credit

The institutes are free to teachers and their schools. Participants will receive a $400 stipend as well as CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. Stipends and CPE hours will be adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program.

Teachers traveling to the institute from out of town will be reimbursed for approved travel costs up to $300. Eligible expenses include use of a personal automobile, air travel, airport parking, and taxi fares. Meals and lodging are not reimbursable. Reimbursement rates are set by the State of Texas. Itemized receipts are required for all costs excluding gas. Please review the Humanities Texas travel policy for program participants for more information.

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the program. Please note that Humanities Texas’s maximum reimbursement for total travel expenses is $300, even if the participant’s actual expenses exceed $300.

Lodging

On-campus housing is available to out-of-town teachers at no cost and can be requested on the application.

How to Apply

Complete the online application. Please apply as soon as possible, as registration will occur on a rolling basis and space is limited.

Sponsors

The institute was made possible with major funding from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation and additional support from the State of Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities.