ASHP/CML’s Historians and Teachers faculty development program kicked off on March 5 with an enthusiastic group of 34 teachers from Region 7 of the New York City public schools. Professor Herbert Sloan of Barnard College lectured on “Was the Constitution a Democratic Document?” and the middle and high school teachers took part in lively analysis and discussion of documents from the ratification debates of 1787 and 1788.

The first in a series of five “retreats” designed to give teachers the opportunity to explore topics in U.S. history in the company of noted historians, this day-long session on the Constitution was followed by Long Island University professor Jeanie Attie, who spoke about ” The Civil War: From Secession to Gettysburg.” Future sessions of the program will include Professor Elizabeth Ewen on the Progressive Era (April 16), ASHP/CML Executive Director Joshua Brown on the Gilded Age (May 3), and Professor Komozi Woodard on the Civil Rights Movement (May 27). In late June, teachers will take part in a week-long summer institute where, guided by ASHP/CML staff, they will work in small groups to explore these topics in greater depth and develop lessons for use with their students.

Historians and Teachers is supported by the Teaching Traditional American History grant from the U.S. Department of Education.