Laredo, Area Teachers Selected for TAMIU Institute for Texas Teachers

Some 40 Laredo and area teachers have been selected to participate in “The Making of Modern America: 1877 to Present,” an Institute for Texas Teachers sponsored by Humanities Texas and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) June 5-8
at TAMIU.

The Institute for Texas Teachers at TAMIU is one of six taking place throughout June at leading universities across Texas. Other participating institutions include the University of Texas at Austin, UT-San Antonio, UT-El Paso, Texas Christian University, and the University of Houston.

Each Institute for Texas Teachers brings about 40 outstanding teachers from across Texas to participate in lectures and workshops that examine significant topics in U.S. history and culture from Reconstruction to the present that are central to the State’s eleventh grade social studies curriculum.

Dr. Deborah L. Blackwell, a TAMIU associate professor of history and University Honors Program director who helms “The Making of Modern America,” said it is the second time TAMIU has hosted the Institute for Texas Teachers.

“This is the second time we’ve been selected to join with Humanities Texas to present a remarkable opportunity for the University to partner with our local history teachers to study this vibrant period in U.S. history and bring it to life again for their students,” Dr. Blackwell said.

Institute participants and their respective campuses include:

• Crystal City Independent School District: Marisa G. Perez and Ruben Salazar.
• Donna ISD: Martin Estrada.
• Laredo ISD: Cristina Aguero, Jessica Alvarado, Gina Cavazos, Luis de la Garza,Ruben Garcia, Leticia Henry,
  Guillermo Jimenez, Shane Johnston,
  Rebecca Link, Lizette Lozano, Roberto Luna, Gilbert Martinez, Jesus Mendiola, Jaime Peryam,
  Angelica Ramirez, Douglas Rieden, Pedro Saenz, Laura Santana, Alicia Trevino and Sylvia Velasco.
• McAllen ISD: Patrick Arney.
• Northside ISD: T. Robert Melendez.
• Responsive Education Solutions: Sandra Delgado.
• Gateway Academy Charter Schools, Sierra Vista: Melissa Madrigal-Saenz.
• San Felipe Del Rio: Patricia Moore.
• Spring Branch ISD: Elisa Barry.
• United ISD: Robin Anderson, Ursula Behrendt, Angelica Byrd, Jonathan Cherry, Elsa Rebecca Gonzalez, Judith Kilburn, Dante Madrigal, Ana Patterson, Blanca Polanco, Carlos Ramirez, Jeanette A. Ramirez, Jose L. Rios, Trinidad Salinas, Blanca Trujillo and Monica Valderrama.

The institutes emphasize close interaction with scholars. The Institute for Texas Teachers offers lectures and workshops led by TAMIU faculty, in addition to distinguished professors and educational specialists from schools across the nation.

Faculty for this Institute include Dr. Michael Les Benedict, The Ohio State University; Dr. Gregg Cantrell, Texas Christian University; Dr. Ricky Dobbs, Texas A&M University-Commerce; Dr. Anthony Quiroz, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Dr. Todd Moye, University of North Texas; Dr. Mark Lawrence, UT-Austin; Jenny Sweeney, National Archives Southwest Regional Area and Stacy Fuller, Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

TAMIU faculty offering lectures or workshops are Regents professor Dr. Jerry D. Thompson, “World War II;” associate professor Dr. Stephen M. Duffy, “World War I;” Dr. Blackwell, “The Progressive Era” and assistant professor Dr. Penny Vlagopoulos, “Using Literature to Enhance History Teaching.”

“Humanities Texas is delighted to include outstanding teachers from Laredo in these educational initiatives,” said executive director Michael L. Gillette, “Bringing teachers together to learn from leading scholars and each other is an effective way to ensure Texas students continue to receive the best possible educational opportunities.”

“The Making of Modern America” is made possible with support from the State of Texas, as well as from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People initiative and partnerships with The Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

The state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Humanities Texas sponsors programs promoting heritage, culture and education throughout the state.

For more information about Humanities Texas and “The Making of Modern America: 1877 to Present,” visit www.humanitiestexas.org.

Find the Conference Photo Gallery here.

For more information about the TAMIU Institute for Texas Teachers, contact Dr. Blackwell at dblackwell@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu