Kelly in Kansas

February is going almost as fast as January did. We have a dusting of snow this morning and definitely cold temps.

Last week we took our TAH grant teachers to the National Archives in Kansas City. Based on their reflection papers, they seemed to really enjoy the experience. It's also a learning experience for me because I went over some of the material during our first meeting last spring. I'm wondering if it's as simple as the continual repetition to help them understand how ARC works? I hope they'll tell me more as we progress in the grant.

I also now know to emphasize more the "Our Documents" and the "Document of the Day" at the site.

I'm working away on grant proposals and also picked up my new vehicle last week.

An alumnus is coming to speak to my teaching methods class - it's a great way to help them better understand the real world. I'm not sure either of them currently knows where that is but maybe today will help.

Labels: National Archives, TAH, Tahoe

For most of this decade, Teaching American History grants have dominated my summer responsibilities and taught me as much as I ever learned in any formal schooling. We just finished up our fourth grant, TAHPS (Teaching American History with Primary Sources), with a trip to Boston the first week of June. With a week in between at home to mow lawns, water flowers and gardens, and other various duties, I'm now preparing to go to Andover for a the first summer institute with our new group of teachers. This is the first grant we've had where teachers are all from the same district so it will be a new experience regarding curriculum coordination. It's a growing district and I'm looking forward to getting to know the teachers. 

We've set up a Google groups account since the education service center is moving away from Blackboard and we didn't want to be stuck with various transition issues. It's also a way to more fully utilize Web 2.0.

Our Logistics Director is on maternity leave but has made arrangements for most everything we need this month. Two critical members of the team are two veteran teachers who compose part of our Teacher Leadership Team. Will has been with us since our first TAH grant, Project Mine. In fact, that's how I first met him. Kevin was a former student who also possesses keen insight into what works for teachers and what doesn't. The informal feedback they continually provide throughout the grant is as crucial as the formal feedback.  

Through our partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute, David Blight and a master teacher will be joining us to share his expertise on slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil War in modern memory. They will be with us Tuesday through Thursday. On Monday, Kevin and Will will be sharing what they have learned about teaching with primary sources from their involvement in previous TAH grants and how they have implemented more primary sources into their classrooms. The teachers will do some presenting of the work they have put together on Friday. This fall, we will have an online class focusing on historical cognition and then in the spring we will have a spring institute and three reading seminars where they can get together to discuss significant monographs in American history. 

The weather looks good for next week, too - always an added bonus. 

Labels: Andover, Blight, Boston, Gilder Lehrman Institute, TAH, teachers, Teaching American History, USD 385

As the end of the semester approaches, contemplating the lessons students have learned is an easy one. Based on student performance throughout the semester, it's relatively easy to determine who is doing well and who thinks they still have all the time in the world and/or already know it all anyway. One student who called themselves stubborn has turned around her attitude; we'll see if performance follows. (Answering the question asked on an essay and/or exam is quite crucial here.)
Several students have worked hard to do well and to learn more. A few have atempted to game the system with varying results.

But what lessons has the professor learned? I've definitely had a truly "light bulb" moment regarding my control - or primarily my lack thereof - over whether or not students want to do well. I can provide them all the tools and assistance in the world short of doing it for them - and that's not doing them any favors in their pursuit of a college degree or in life in general. I've done better this semester at taking a step or two back and letting the chips fall where they may. I've been at this teaching thing since 1985 in some form or fashion (if we don't count playing school until 8th grade if that tells you anything). But, I fear I've discovered students only resent it if you try to help them more than they want it and/or feel they need it.

This is especially important given the sacred trinity of teaching, research, and service. I can better inform my teaching if I take more time to do research, including teaching-related research, and less time overwhelmed by the minutia that can quickly take over my day. Before I know it, all my best productive time is gone. I have done much better this academic year requiring students to use the CMS to correspond about class matters and only checking it once a course day. This is in contrast to feeling compelled to answer it as it comes in - which is obviously very much a misuse of time. It also keeps the email organized so that it's clear what course a student is referring to along with the context (ie related emails) being right there.

I've also balanced some department politics a bit better - primarily by not letting them intrude on my getting my job done. And at least one colleague who lives in a glass house and likes to throw stones had at least one lobbed right back. The biggest joy this year has been a new colleague whom has been everything I had hoped for and more both as a teacher and as a professional colleague. His being involved in tech and blogging (which is how I became aware of him despite our distinctly diverse topical areas of study) is an added plus.

As the semester is winding down, an even busier summer is winding up. As I've discussed before, TAH grants are wonderful things but they also ensure the summer flies by before I know it.

Now to get organized to get done what just has to be done by May 30:

Teaching
Writing
Planning Teaching
Writing
Research
Writing
Finish textbook ancillaries
Writing

Labels: colleagues, historical research, learning, semester, students, summer, TAH, writing

Once again, Ale Stein and his staff at the US Department of Education put together an engaging meeting for project directors and other staff, including historians, of Teaching American History grants. Historians such as Darlene Clark Hine, Edward O'Donnell, and James McPherson discussed timely topics. Breakout sessions featured a wide range of sessions focusing on grant implementation and evaluation.

Elise and Rich were both able to join us and, once again, David Gerwin was busy running all over the conference. Sam Morgan of the Gilder Lehrman Institute put together a session featuring Carol Berkin and former teacher of the year Rosanne Lichatin. I concluded the session with a brief overview of how TAH partnerships with GLI work.

That evening, GLI held a reception and presentation at the Union League Club. As always, a classy get together focusing on teachers and historians and all others interested in history.

Labels: Carol Berkin, conferences, Gilder Lehrman Institute, GLI, TAH, US Department of Education

During the final half day of AHA sessions, I planned to stop by to hear Carol Berkin's portion of the panel focusing on women historians in New York City. I ended up staying for the entire session which engaged the audience with diverse stories of how women advanced in the male-dominated profession along with dealing with the rewards and challenges of living in "the city" over 5 decades.

Later in the day I joined a friend to see Defiance. Quite moving. Then, more time in the city before the TAH Project Directors meeting.

Labels: AHA, Carol Berkin, TAH, women, women historians

Day 3 began with my teaching-focused panel with my colleagues Cary Wintz and David Gerwin. We discussed teaching techniques and technology related to teaching African-American history. David focused on slavery in the Chesapeake while Cary talked about the behind-the-scenes work that went into his book, Harlem Speaks.

Then, I discussed how we have gradually increased the technology we use with teachers in our Teaching American History grants dating back to 2001. We also discussed our delivered master's degree and the struggles of the approval and implementation of off-campus programs. Here's the link to the PPT.

Lunch brought a meeting with Cengage (formerly Houghton Mifflin) about the current edition of Making America now in preparation. Other meetings with colleagues followed along with more time in the expansive book exhibit. I headed to an afternoon session but the main speaker that interested me was unable to attend.

Dinner was with a history/techie colleague (there aren't many of us) and then more drinks with the St. Louis crew. They are _always_ fun.

Labels: AHA, Berkin, Cherny, conferences, Making America, NYC, Petrik, TAH, Teaching American History

I've just finished up most of the tasks to prepare for the summer institute for one of our TAH grants. We've worked with this group for a year and a half and have enjoyed getting to know their diverse personalities.

It looks like the weather may allow a trip to the lake later today after all. I've been anxious to get down there.

We went to see Sex and the City last night. It was outstanding and kept twisting and turning all the way through. Anyone who liked the series will like the movie. There was one storyline I didn't like but out of four, that's not bad. And, those who haven't seen the series regularly might miss a lot of the "backstory" that makes particular scenes more fun and/or more interesting.

Molly is continuing to feel more comfortable in her environment and communicating with me as dogs do that she is excited about joining the family.

Labels: grants, Molly, Sex and the City, TAH, teachers

The Electronic Records Advisory Committee meeting went well - especially getting to know some of my fellow committee members better. Everyone has such interesting areas of expertise and there is always something new to learn.

I ventured to St. Louis over the weekend to meet Beau and Maggie and Aunt Dorothy, of course. Dorothy is a great person and is doing outstanding work being both an adopted mom and a foster mom. Beau and Maggie were quite cute and adorable and very sociable but the feeling just wasn't right - I think primarily because two active young pups is a bit much for me to handle right now. I visited with Doc late yesterday and he gave me some other pointers but also said not to overthink it all - my heart will know when I meet the right pup. And I do tend to overthink on lots of things but am trying to do more listening to my gut.

On Sunday I ventured to some area shelters and the facilities of the Humane Society of Missouri are simply outstanding - it's clear they are doing a great job with the animals and providing a conducive environment for adoption.

Seeing friends in St. Louis Saturday evening for dinner at Maya Cafe was also fun. We never would have met one another without TAH grants.

I met with my face to face class yesterday for the last time before the final next Monday. The final will be all multiple choice as one way to get students ready for the Praxis II 0081 test now required for graduation to ensure we have the desirable pass rate. I enjoyed talking with some of the students individually about their future plans.

Then, after visiting with Doc, I made it out to the farm in time to do some of the outdoor work, including planting some transplanted ivy, before the big storms came in for the next two days. Later today I will call around to some of the area shelters and maybe go visit some of them. I found a possible poodle for me online when Doc was looking with me but she is already in a foster to adopt home. The right one will come along, I'm sure. However, as you already know, patience is not one of my virtues.

Labels: adoptions, dog, farm, grants, human society, rescue, shelters, St. Louis, TAH