Nature Hill Intermediate Social Studies Teacher, Erik Jappinen, participated in a unique learning opportunity this summer. He spent a week in Virginia at the Monticello Teacher Institute, a summer fellowship program for American History teachers. This was Jappinen's second trip to Monticello, having visited last fall through the Worldstrides program. This summer's experience was much different because the Monticello Teacher Institute is an opportunity to research and study at Monticello, with a goal of enhancing classroom teaching on Thomas Jefferson's ideas and life.
During the Institute, Jappinen had the opportunity to privately tour Monticello and learn more about the lives of the enslaved people and families who lived there. He was also able to work with Monticello's lead historian and meet several of the archaeological staff working to uncover relics and better understand life at the site. The highlights of the week included:
- The opportunity for fellows to talk with noted Jefferson historian, Peter Onuf, via Skype.
- Access to the University of Virginia Special Collections Library, where Jappinen saw one of the 25 original printings of the Declaration of Independence and a copy of Notes on the State of Virginia, which Thomas Jefferson gave to the Marquis de Lafayette with personal inscription.
In addition to their time at Monticello, the fellows also toured Highland, the home of the fifth president, James Monroe, and the University of Virginia's Rotunda and Academical Village, both designed by Thomas Jefferson.
At the end of the weeklong Institute, Jappinen created a lesson plan that will be added to the Monticello Digital Classroom, an online resource for teachers across the country to enhance their classroom teaching on Thomas Jefferson. His lesson plan was a review and interpretation of the significant correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams over the course of their public lives. In many ways, their correspondence mirrored the growth and changes that the country was experiencing. "I had the opportunity to work with fifteen other teachers from across the country as we studied aspects of Thomas Jefferson's ideas and life. I also, and more importantly, learned a lot about someone that I believed I already knew," said Jappinen. "I would highly encourage all teachers to search out these types of immersive professional development opportunities. I met fifteen incredible educators and three terrific leaders from Monticello who I hope will continue to impact my teaching and learning. It was so rewarding," said Jappinen about his experience.
Nature Hill Intermediate Social Studies Teacher, Erik Jappinen, with statue of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello
Monticello Teachers Institute Group, Erik Jappinen in back row, far right
Monticello Teachers Institute Skype discussion with noted Jefferson historian, Peter Onuf.
One of the 25 original printings of the Declaration of Independence.
The main house at Monticello.
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