Teachers attend week of activities in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--How might a group of high school social studies teachers solve the current conflict in the Balkans? A select group of teachers from around the nation have taken time off from their busy summer vacations to examine how to bring home the importance of often-obscure international conflicts to teenagers in high schools across America.

For one week each summer, a group of 25-30 high school social studies teachers gather in the nation's capital to examine the dynamics of international relations and conflict management in the post-Cold War era. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers allows teachers from across the country to step out of their classrooms and discuss strategies of how to encourage students to take an active interest in foreign affairs, peace and international conflict resolution.

Focused on international peace, security and conflict management, Summer Institute participants attend a series of seminars designed to better enhance both substantive expertise as well as teaching skills and curricula in their schools. Throughout the week, Summer Institute participants discuss current issues in international peace studies with leading foreign policy experts from a variety of public, private and non-governmental organizations such as the International Red Cross, UN High Commissioner's Office for Refugees and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Image on left: Institute President Richard H. Solomon addresses seminar participants.

To put their newly gained skills and expertise in international conflict management to the test, the teachers at the end of the week will participate in a hands-on computer simulation on Kosovo developed by researchers with the University of Maryland. According to U.S. Institute of Peace President Dr. Richard H. Solomon: "Effectively teaching students at any level about current events in today's dynamic Post-Cold War world is no easy task. However, the insights they gain during their week here will be invaluable tools to help make learning about foreign affairs a rewarding experience for both themselves and their students."

 

The Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers is part of USIP's Education Program which offers programs throughout the year on conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation to both educators and foreign policy makers. Applications for the year 2000 Summer Institute are scheduled to be available this September.

Image on right: Margaret Sausen of Maple Grove Sr. High, Maple Grove, MN, discusses a point with a fellow seminar participant.

 

1999 Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers Participants

Joan Beaver
Stillwater Area High School
Stillwater, MN

Chris Burton
Auburn-Riverside High School
Auburn, WA

Steve Deligan
Juanita High School
Kirkland, WA

Deborah Dodds
West Orange High School
West Orange, NJ

Sara Esrick
Shorecrest High School
Shoreline, WA

Michael Gonchar
East Side Community High School
New York, NY

Leigh Gozigian
Pagosa Springs High School
Pagosa Springs, CO

Nezha Hamid
Conifer High School
Conifer, CO

Russell Lindgren
Sonora High School
Sonora, CA

Marianne Lynch
Immaculate Heart of Mary H. S.
Westchester, IL

Neil Lynch
Methuen High School
Methuen, MA

Marc Major
Lloyde High School
Lawndale, CA

Theresa McAbee
Lewis County High School
Weston, WV

James McMillin
J. Graham Brown School
Louisville, KY

Daniel Moynihan
Glastonbury Public Schools
Glastonbury, CT

Sandra Mozingo
Horn Lake High School
Horn lake, MS

Bill Mustard
Cerritos High School
Cerritos, CA

Allen Rushing
Stanton College Preparatory School
Jacksonville, FL

Margaret Sausen
Maple Grove Sr. High
Maple Grove, MN

Thomas Siefring, Jr.
UN International School
New York, NY

Helen Smith
Pace Academy
Atlanta, GA

Deidrah Thomas
Henry Ford High School
Detroit, MI

Will Wauters
The Lawrenceville School
Lawrenceville, NJ

Artis West
North Cobb High School
Kennesaw, GA

Jaye Zola
New Vista High School
Boulder, CO

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