Summer Residential Programs
We’ve taken the best elements of our popular residential programs and made them accessible to educators in every state. Our format, with a different thematic focus each session, allows you to focus on the 18th-century subjects that are most relevant to your classroom: government, women, military, slavery, leadership, and business. Each week features a lead scholar, as well as numerous guest speakers and Mount Vernon experts.
What is it?
A 5-day immersive professional development designed to support K-12 educators teach about the life, leadership, and legacy of George Washington and the 18th-century world in which he lived. Each program includes these signature elements:
- In-depth content and primary source analysis.
- Immersive 18th-century experiences with historical interpreters and subject matter experts.
- Lively debate and engaged collaboration with visiting scholars, fellow participants, and Mount Vernon staff.
- Classroom applicability including technology integration.
- Connections between historical events and contemporary student experiences.
2018 Dates and Themes
| June 12 - 16, 2018 |
Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century |
| June 19 - 23, 2018 |
Slavery in George Washington's World |
| July 10 - 14, 2018 |
The Great Experiment: George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government |
| July 17 - 21, 2018 |
First in Business: George Washington, Mount Vernon, and the New Nation |
| July 31 - August 4, 2018 |
Washington at War: From Soldier to Commander in Chief |
| August 7 - 11, 2018 |
Leadership and Legacy: Lessons from George Washington |
Program Descriptions
Why should I apply?
- Learn about George Washington’s life from experts while staying on-site at his beloved home.
- Tackle topics that matter the most to you, from government to slavery to leadership.
- Devise new ways to bring these lessons to life in your classroom.
- Select from six different 5-day sessions to better fit your summer schedule.
- Share successes and challenges with your peers from across the country.
Who Can Apply?
- Anyone who is currently educating American students in a formal school environment.
- Priority will be given to educators working directly with students (teachers, media specialists, librarians); however, a limited number of spaces will be reserved for administrators and supervisors.
- Alumni from past residential programs are eligible to apply.
- Applicants may only attend one residential program at Mount Vernon per calendar year.
How Much Does the Program Cost?
- State-specific full scholarships and travel stipends are available for applicants from the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please note you must be teaching in the state for the 2018-19 school year to be eligible.
- National scholarships are also available. National scholarships include a travel stipend and cover all program costs.
Application Process
The application deadline for our 2018 Summer Residential programs is January 29, 2018. Educators interested in attending the program must complete and submit the following:
- Online Application The application should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and requires the applicant to upload a resume and essay. Two letters of recommendation are also required for completion. Applicants can start the application and return to it before submitting.
- Resume List relevant education and teaching history. Special attention will be given to leadership roles held, recent professional development, student engagement techniques, and examples of innovative and adaptive teaching strategies.
- Essay Explain your reasons for applying along with how George Washington and the 18th-century world is relevant to your teaching, how you make history relevant for your students, and how you will take what you’ve learned and make an impact on your learning communities. Essays should be no more than 500 words.
- Letters of Support Two letters of support addressing your skill, ability, and experience as a teacher and indicating support for the responsibilities outlined in the Participant Obligation Pledge. One letter must be from a person in a school or district leadership role where you are currently employed. The additional letter should be from an education colleague. Recommenders will be asked to submit their letters through the application system.
- Alumni of previous George Washington Teacher Institute Residential Programs should include information in their resume and essay demonstrating how they have integrated experiences and knowledge from the first residential program into their current practice. New this year: alumni will be asked to participate in the residential program by leading a classroom application session, a primary source workshop, or a small- or large-group discussion.
Participant Obligation Pledge
The primary goal of the George Washington Teacher Institute is to increase the understanding of George Washington, his legacy, and the context of the 18th-century world in which he lived. As an attendee, you will contribute to this goal by working directly with your students, as well as through in-service training and team meetings with your peers. All participants must agree to support this goal and complete the following requirements:
- Fully and actively participate and contribute in ALL Institute activities, including staying on-site for the duration of the program
- Conduct a minimum of one district level or state level in-service presentation or equivalent that reaches teachers beyond those that you work with on a daily basis
- Submit a report on the in-service presentation within the required time frame
