Teachers as Scholars Summer Seminars

Middle and secondary school teachers from public and private schools are invited to participate in the Teachers as Scholars seminars. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Act 48 Professional Development, participants can receive ten (10 hours) credits per seminar. Seminars and workshop are free of charge from 9-3 p.m., including lunches.

In collaboration with your school district administration, we have scheduled summer seminars to maximize the availability for teachers outside the academic year (with an hour break for a provided lunch). All seminars take place in Ernest L. Boyer Hall and are limited to 16 participants. You will therefore be able to include these seminars in your annual professional development plan of in-service for Act 48 credit in conjunction with your district office.

When: Mon, June 8 & Tues, June 9
Presented by: Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Department of Language, Literature and Writing

In this seminar, educators will explore new ways of reading and teaching the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston. Using two of Hurston’s most celebrated texts—“What It Means to Be Colored Me” and Their Eyes Were Watching God— as well as responses from well-known writers like Richard Wright, Alice Walker, and Ibram X. Kendi, we will examine Hurston's literary craft and trace the cultural debates that transformed her from literary exile to literary icon. Participants will also consider recent adaptations of Hurston's work in picture books and music and experiment with digital approaches to literary learning, including digital annotations, social media research writing, and interactive research posters. Through robust discussion, resource sharing, and hands-on collaboration, this seminar will offer both fresh thinking about Zora Neale Hurston and dynamic approaches to teaching literature in digital spaces today. 

When: Mon, June 8 & Tues, June 9
Presented by: Devin Manzullo-Thomas, Department of Biblical, Religious and Philosophical Studies.

News reports and social media feeds are full of discussions about tensions between Christian churches or organizations and schools in the United States, particularly but not exclusively public schools.  Such reports may mask rather than clarify the rich diversity of Christian practice and belief in the United States, religious diversity that Christian students carry with them into the classroom.  This seminar will focus on understanding the diversity of Christian belief and practice in American culture, will survey recent developments and trends in American Christianity, and will provide some opportunities for participants to reflect on how that diversity has an impact on their classrooms.

When: Wed, June 10 & Thurs, June 11
Presented by: Jason Renn, Department of History, Politics and International Relations

How should Americans view modern China? This seminar will provide an overview of Chinese political and cultural development since the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912. Topics will include the development and rule of the Chinese Communist Party, the growth of the country's economy, and China’s expanding influence in the world. We will apply this information to contemporary issues that you might encounter in your classrooms, including the geopolitics of social media consumption and censorship, U.S.—China trade relations, and social issues like the Chinese education system and youth unemployment.

When: Wed, June 10 & Thurs, June 11
Presented by: Sheila Rodriguez, Department of Language, Literature & Writing

This two-day workshop will explore Children’s Literature with themes of immigration and identity. The reading list will include thought-provoking, culturally rich texts such as: Xochitl, la niña de las flores by Jorge Argueta, Islandborn by Junot Díaz, El canto de las palomas by Juan Felipe Herrera, ¿De dónde eres? by Yamile Saied Méndez, and Los plátanos van con todo by Lisette Norman. While these texts are written for young children, they can be used to discuss immigration and identity at all levels of Spanish study. Participants will explore and discuss common themes in the texts such as shifting identity for immigrant children, the role of memories and nostalgia, maintaining family traditions, reacting to discrimination, and developing a sense of pride in being bilingual/bicultural. The second day will focus on classroom application. Each participant will create a project that meets their own classroom goals and will leave with plans for a potential activity. ¡No se olviden! Este taller se dictará en español.