BERKELEY COUTY, S.C.–Taylor Bauer, a teacher at Timberland High School in St. Stephen, was one of eight South Carolina middle and high school teachers to spend a week last July in Washington, D.C. observing government in action as part of the Riley Institute at Furman’s 13th Annual Teachers of Government (TOG) program.
Bauer has been teaching U.S. History, Government and Economics at Timberland High School for the past two years. Bauer says she wants to help students “find their passion in life, give them a thirst for knowledge, and provide the skills to seek out answers.”
Says Bauer, “During the week in Washington, D.C., I learned about a variety of resources I can use in my classroom to keep students engaged in their material, and I learned about different techniques and practices from the other teachers on the trip. I often find myself looking over my notes from the trip and creating different activities I think my students would enjoy.”
The TOG program strengthens teaching of civics and government in the state by expanding teachers’ knowledge of how government and policymakers work, allowing them to build useful networks with their peers in other South Carolina schools, and making them aware of a range of national education resources available to them. The program occurs annually and is free of charge. Participants are selected through a competitive application process.
In the program led by Furman political science professor Dr. Liz Smith, teachers see Congress in action and meet with government officials, politicians, non-governmental activists and members of education policy-making agencies. They meet with educational outreach specialists at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Newseum and C-Span, and visit the Supreme Court, the Holocaust Museum, and other organizations.
Teachers spend evenings in discussion of their day’s work and of relevant readings. “This intensive weeklong experience adds context and real-world relevance to teachers’ classroom work, and teaches them how to use education resources provided by many national organizations more effectively,” says Smith.
The 2015 Teachers of Government program will be held July 18-24. To apply for the program, please visit the Riley Institute website.
For information about the program or to apply, contact Dr. Liz Smith at (864) 294-3674 or email [email protected].
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