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.
Teacher Workshops
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) and 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.
Portraits of Community Virtual Workshop Series
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS FULL. PLEASE EMAIL KHSEDUCATION@KY.GOV TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST.
Date/Time: January 30, 2024, 4-5 PM ET & February 27, 2024, 4-5 PM ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; registration required
Grades: K-12
The Kentucky Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institution are teaming up to offer a virtual workshop for K-12th grade teachers.
The first session will focus on a project-based approach to the humanities by combining historical resources such as photographs with conducting oral histories in your community. Participants will practice critical thinking activities that use art, documents, and museum objects to uncover new ideas and real-world connections. This workshop will equip teachers with Monday-ready activities to bring to your classroom.
The second session will continue to explore the topic and allow teachers the opportunity to share their experiences and feedback after implementing a lesson in their classroom. Teachers who did not attend the first session are welcome to join the second. For questions, contact our teacher resources manager at Katie.Turer@ky.gov.
Teachers attending both sessions will receive a $100 stipend. Register by January 23.
Register Here:
Tuesday, January 30, 4-5 PM ET - registration is full - please click to be added to waitlist
Tuesday, February 27, 4-5 PM ET - registration is full - please click to be added to waitlist
Teaching American History Seminar Series: The American Revolution - 4/6/2024
Date/Time: Saturday, April 6, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm EST
Location: Kentucky Historical Society, Klotter Classrooms
Cost: Free, Registration required. Lunch included.
Grades: 4-12
P.D. Hours: 8
The seminar will discuss readings that address such issues as political developments in North America and the British empire and the arguments for and against independence, culminating in the Declaration of Independence; the Revolutionary War as a military, social and cultural event in the development of the American nation and state; and the United States under the articles of confederation.
This seminar is part of a series of three seminars on Early American History aimed to strengthen content knowledge for teachers as they prepare to teach Kentucky history and the newly added documents to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies.
Teachers will receive a Letter of Attendance at the conclusion of the seminar.
Professional Learning Cancellation Policy
Refunds will be made up to the registration deadline. Refund requests must be made in writing and directed to KHS Education. Any cancellations after the registration deadline or no-shows on the day of the event will be charged the full amount.
Other Cancellation Policies
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, that participants incur due to 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.
Bring Teacher Workshops to Your District!
Choose from one of the Kentucky Historical Society's teacher professional development opportunities. Bring an expert to your district to conduct the workshop or tune in virtually for a presentation.
Engaging with Kentucky's Past: An Overview of KHS Resources & Programs
Time: 60 minutes
Cost: FREE
How can the Kentucky Historical Society help teach Kentucky history? This session is an introduction to our portfolio of education resources and programs. Learn about the programs KHS offers for students in the classroom, virtually, and at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort. Resources for educators will be provided along with activity and research demonstrations.
Navigating National History Day in Kentucky
Time: 60 minutes
Cost: FREE
Are you ready to participate in National History Day in Kentucky (NHDKy)? Join the NHDKy Coordinator for a session that will help you and your students navigate the steps to competing in a National History Day contest. Learn how to guide students through choosing a topic based on the annual theme. developing historical thinking skills, and creating a project in one of the five NHD categories.
Using Visual Thinking Strategies & KHS Resources in the Classroom
Time: 60-90 Minutes
Cost: In-person: $200; Virtual: $75
Learn how KHS uses Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to teach art-infused history lessons that improve students' visual literacy, historical literacy, and critical thinking skills. We'll demonstrate how VTS is included in our portfolio of educational programs and provide helpful tips for designing a VTS implementation strategy for your classroom. We'll also explore KHS'd research library and digital collections to find resources.
Reconstruction & Redemption in Kentucky
Time: 60 Minutes
Cost: In-person: $200; Virtual: $75
During the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, the United States attempted to re-integrate the former Confederate States while also protecting newly freed African Americans. Following a prolonged period of political violence perpetrated by former Confederates against Southern Blacks and their white allies, in 1877, the government eventually abandoned Reconstruction's loftier goals, content to allow the formerly enslaved to be all but re-enslaved in exchange for national unity and peace.
This session is designed to highlight some of the main themes of the Reconstruction Era and its continuing significance for today, as well as the absence of any meaningful Reconstruction policy in Kentucky and how that absence profoundly influenced race relations in the years and decades after the Civil War.
Kentucky History Education Conference
Coming July 2024. For more information, contact Katie Turer, Teacher Resource Manager: katie.turer@ky.gov.