Savannah Standard

SCCPSS Teacher Specialist for K-5 Social Studies, Tomika Courtney-McClinton, has been chosen as one of 30 educators across the United States to join the 2023 White House History Teacher Institute. This program will take place in Washington D.C. in July.

The White House serves various roles including a home, office, museum, and stage. For over two centuries, it has been shaped by first families, enslaved individuals, foreign visitors, curators, and the American public. The White House History Teacher Institute allows teachers to delve into the history of this iconic building and learn how these stories can be incorporated into their teaching.

This five-day immersive professional development program is hosted by the White House Historical Association in Washington D.C. It includes discussions with historians, local site visits, inquiry-based learning activities, guest speakers, and networking opportunities with educators from around the country.

The 2023 Institute invites all K-12 educators to explore key questions such as:

• Why does the White House matter? How have its structure and symbolism evolved over time?

• How do the White House and its neighborhood reflect broader movements and changes in U.S. history?

• Who has contributed to the White House over time? What lesser-known stories are significant to understanding its history?

• How did the White House come to function simultaneously as a home, office, museum, and stage?