Learning is a Lifelong Journey - Let Us Join You.
You strive to be an educator who inspires students. But who and what inspire you? The Kentucky Historical Society offers a variety of workshops-both virtual and in-person, the annual Kentucky History Education Conference, and more for K-12 teachers.
These educator professional learning opportunities strive to make social studies education accessible and relevant by combining our vast historical collections with inquiry-based, participatory learning strategies to help make your students active and informed citizens.
We also put you in touch with a network of other teachers, public history professionals and volunteers focused on increasing content knowledge, sharpening skills, sparking creativity and positively impacting students’ – and all Kentuckians’ – experiences with history.
Educator Workshops in Your School PDF
Kentucky History Education Conference
Coming in July 2022!
Teacher Workshops 2021-2022
For any questions or concerns regarding professional learning, please contact Claire E. Gwaltney, Teacher Programs Manager.
KHS offers a diverse array of high-quality professional learning for Kentucky’s K-12 educators. We frequently partner with local and national organizations to provide relevant professional learning opportunities related to Social Studies (civics, economics, geography, and history), as well as the Humanities and Language Arts. All workshops connect to the latest Kentucky Academic Standards. Opportunities include full and partial-day workshops (held onsite and online) and premier events such as our annual Kentucky History Education Conference.
Teaching American History: Westward Expansion
November 13, 2021, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST (VIRTUAL)
This seminar will focus on America’s westward expansion in two eras: the early Republic and its policy with American Indians, and Jackson’s Indian removal policy and Manifest Destiny. This seminar will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents and facilitated conversation. Registrants are highly encouraged to read all documents in advance (readings will be provided prior to the seminar). Come ready with questions. Grades 6-12. 3.5 hours PD credit. FREE.
This seminar is brought to KHS by Teaching American History. TAH supports U.S. history, government, and civics teachers with document-based seminars, online and in print document collections, and other multimedia resources.
REGISTER HERE!
Let’s Do History!
Smithsonian Presents: Object-Based Learning and Museum Education Strategies
January 25, 2022, 4 – 6 p.m. EST (VIRTUAL)
The Kentucky Historical Society is a proud Smithsonian Affiliate, and we are excited to offer a workshop on how to use Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH) collections in your classroom. Participants will discover how museum objects and works of art broaden perspectives, reveal silenced stories, and make relevant connections to our world today.
NMAH educators will model teaching strategies to implement with students, both online and in the classroom, as well as introduce the Smithsonian Learning Lab: a free, online platform designed to share digital museum resources in order to create interactive learning experiences. These resources can help teachers engage students in deeper thinking and support content learning across disciplines. Several Learning Labs feature artifacts from the Kentucky Historical Society. Grades K-12. Two hours PD credit. FREE.
NMAH Educators include:
Eden Cho is an Education Technologist and manages the educational digital platforms and supports the development and dissemination of PK-12 resources. She is passionate about informal learning and breaking down the misconception that museums should be quiet spaces.
Abby Pfisterer is the Education Specialist and leads the development of resources and programs that use history to foster civic learning and engagement among K-12 students nationwide. She has over ten years of experience working in formal classroom and informal learning settings at museums and historic sites, focusing on progressive education and audience-driven program development.
Dr. Orlando Serrano manages educational programs for young people and educators. He supports and develops informal educational and leadership experiences for students, professional development workshops for educators, and curriculum content. Dr. Serrano is an experienced educator with expertise in teacher professional development, assessment, instruction, and educational technologies.
REGISTER HERE!
Elections: How they Work and How they are Remembered
February 15, 2022, 4 – 6 p.m. EST (VIRTUAL)
Join the McConnell Center for an engaging learning opportunity about elections and the Electoral College. Learn the past and present purpose of the Electoral College and how it functions. Then examine electoral artifacts from the McConnell-Chao Archives and Kentucky Historical Society collection to understand elections from a state and national perspective. Participants will leave with primary sources and content knowledge to integrate into their teaching. Grades 8-12. Two hours PD credit. FREE.
This workshop will be led by staff from the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville. Nan Mosher is the archivist of the U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Elaine L. Chao Archives. She previously served for 30 years as a member of Senator McConnell’s staff. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Nan is a member of the Society of American Archivists, Oral History Association, and Midwest Archives Conference. Gary Gregg, PhD, is director of the McConnell Center, where he also holds the Mitch McConnell Chair in Leadership at the University of Louisville. An award-winning political science teacher and expert on the U.S. presidency, Gregg has written or edited several books, including Securing Democracy: Why We Have an Electoral College.
REGISTER HERE!
Origins of the Final Solution
March 15, 2022, 4 – 6 p.m. EST (VIRTUAL)
Approximately 5.4 million Eastern European Jews died under Nazi occupation. Nearly half were murdered in eastern Poland and the former Soviet Union. What changed the attitude of Nazis in regards to the Eastern European Jews between 1941 and 1942? Join us as we explore the origins of the Final Solution and the role of the Einsatzgruppen (mobile killing squads) in eastern Poland and the former Soviet Union. Learn what made the mass murder of Jews in the East different from Nazi-occupied territories in the West. Facilitator Jessica Hulten from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center will guide educators through textual analysis to examine the motivations and choices of those who participated and collaborated with the Nazis. Come away with resources and implementation strategies that promote critical thinking about individual choice and aspects of human behavior. Grades 6-12. Two hours PD credit. FREE.
Jessica Hulten is the Assistant Manager of Education at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. She has been with the museum for 7 years and is passionate about reaching students and educators with Holocaust and genocide education. She has a B.A in History from University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University.
REGISTER HERE!
Teaching American History: The Founding and Electoral College
April 9, 2022, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST
Location TBA.
Learn how the Founding Fathers sought to formalize ideas of limited government, a new vision of federalism, and balance between Democratic and Republican ideals. Understand their journey to seek compromise and consensus between a diverse collection of geographic, economic, and ideological factions and viewpoints. This seminar will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents and facilitated conversation. Registrants are highly encouraged to read the documents in advance (readings will be provided prior to the seminar. Come ready with questions. Grades 6-12. 3.5 hours PD credit. FREE.
This seminar is brought to KHS by Teaching American History. TAH supports U.S. history, government, and civics teachers with document-based seminars, online and in print document collections, and other multimedia resources. This seminar will be led by Dr. J. David Alvis, associate professor of political science at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
REGISTER HERE!
Professional Learning Cancellation Policy
Refunds will be made up to the registration deadline. Refund requests must be made in writing and directed to Claire E. Gwaltney, teacher programs manager, at claire.gwaltney@ky.gov. Any cancellations after the registration deadline or no-shows the day of the event will be charged the full amount.
Other Cancellation Policies
You may transfer registrations, but please give written notification to the event coordinator at least 24 hours in advance.
We may consider emergency circumstances for cancellations, but you must contact the event coordinator within a week of the event date.
KHS also reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. In the event of such a cancellation, participants will receive a full registration refund. KHS is not responsible for any expenses, travel or otherwise, participants incur as a result of participation in or cancellation of a program unless otherwise noted.
Inclement Weather Policy
If you have registered for a KHS workshop and traveling may be hazardous the day of the event, please use your own judgment when deciding to attend. Those who cannot attend because of inclement weather should contact the event coordinator. Refund decisions will be made on an individual basis.