Summer Residential Programs

2020 Dates and Themes

June 16-20, 2020	Slavery in George Washington's World
June 23-27, 2020	The Great Experiment: George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government
July 7-11, 2020	First in Business: George Washington, Mount Vernon, and the New Nation
July 14-18, 2020	George Washington at War: From Soldier to Commander in Chief
July 28 - August 1, 2020	Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century
August 4-9, 2020	Leadership and Legacy: Lessons from George Washington

Program Descriptions

Why should I apply?

• Learn about George Washington’s life from experts 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, Illinois, 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 2020-2021 school year to be eligible.
• If you don't see your state listed, you can still receive a scholarship. National scholarships are also available and cover all program costs, including a travel stipend.

Application Process

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. 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