East View Government Teacher Attends Teacher Institute in D.C.
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the White House Historical Association (WHHA), “a private non-profit educational organization with a mission to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Executive Mansion”, according to their website. The association helps the White House preserve, collect and exhibit the finest artifacts of American history.
So, what’s the connection between the WHHA and GISD? Every summer, the WHHA hosts the White House History Teacher Institute, a five-day teacher professional development program in Washington, D.C where teachers from all over the country have discussions with historians, visit local sites, gain exclusive access to White House resources and more. In the summer of 2022, East View High School U.S. Government & Politics teacher Wendy Sierra attended the institute.
“The White House Historical Association aims to educate children about the great history in the executive branch of our government,” Sierra said. “I learned it was a great experience from friends, so I was eager to apply.”
Out of the total 160 applicants for the 2022 Institute, Sierra was one of the 30 selected to participate. As part of the application process, Sierra had to submit her resume and write an essay about why she wanted to attend the institute and what she hoped to bring back to the classroom.
Sierra in the East Room
“One of my favorite projects of the school year is when my students each plan a state dinner,” Sierra said. “They choose a country, choose a menu, learn about diplomacy, decide what guests to invite and even what china to use. In the process, they learn how all of those details are reflections of our country.”
“So, I really wanted to spend a lot of time in the White House china room and dining rooms and share that experience with my students for their project,” Sierra said. “I was also able to bring back exclusive White House resources that are a bit harder for students to research on their own.”
During the evenings, teachers were given free time to go out and explore D.C. on their own. One of the ways Sierra spent her time was by attending the annual Congressional Baseball Game, an event for charity where members of the U.S. congress from both parties compete in a friendly game of baseball.
“The game was such a great showcase of bipartisanship and a fun thing to bring back into the classroom,” Sierra said. “It’s a chance to show students that even though our country is divided, we can still come together for events like this.”
Another day, one of Sierra’s fellow teachers from Montana secured an appointment with a senator from Montana, and Sierra was able to accompany her.
Sierra (right) and teachers with Montana senator Jon Tester
“I didn’t say much at the meeting, but just to have the opportunity to meet a sitting senator was really exciting.” Sierra said. “And I got to see the process of entering into the senate office buildings.”
During the institute, Sierra participated in teacher activities, educator networking, research, and listened to special speakers. Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff to first lady Laura Bush, visited the institute and spoke about the inner workings of the White House.
White House Teacher Institute 2022
On the final day, after a week of studying the White House, teachers finally went into the Executive Mansion. Their tour guides were the curators of all the different pieces in the White House and even took them “behind the ropes” of a normal White House tour.
“It was really, really special – something I had longed to do for 30 years,” Sierra said. “I thought of the different presidents that had been there before me, and it still brings me chills.”
“I would recommend all teachers apply for professional development that will help them grow in the subjects they teach,” Sierra said. “There are programs out there that will pay the expenses for teachers to expand their learning and enhance their classroom curriculum.”
To learn more about the institute, visit https://www.whitehousehistory.org/rubenstein-center/k-12-education-resources-and-programs/professional-development-programs/white-house-history-teacher-institute.
