Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to get out of the house and learn something new. That’s why Upper School history teachers Tricia Watson and Steph Sperber planned an educational history retreat to Philadelphia, PA. They were inspired to take this trip because of their shared passion for teaching history and motivation to make their classrooms the best they can be for their students.
The trip was designed around the National Council for Social Studies Education Annual Conference. Ms. Sperber explained what the conference is all about. “It is basically a gathering of social studies and humanities teachers, as well as history professionals to share their experiences and different ways of teaching,” she said. Over the course of the trip, Ms. Sperber and Ms. Watson learned about common trends going on in the classroom and new creative ways to engage students in their lessons.
Some of Ms. Sperber’s main takeaways from the trip related to storytelling, especially sharing stories that aren’t in the mainstream narrative of U.S. history. By focusing on unique perspectives, students become more engaged in what they’re learning, Ms. Sperber shared. “Telling stories that interest students and aren’t your boring, normal, average history stories that don’t get listened to is a really great way to teach history,” Ms. Sperber explained. Another one of Ms. Sperber’s takeaways from the trip was learning about new ways to make the ninth-grade history course more robust.
Ms. Watson has been to the conference a few times, but this was her first time attending it in Philadelphia, PA., so she was overjoyed to be in such a historic city. “It was so special to be learning about American history and teaching strategies in The City of Brotherly Love, which is Philadelphia,” she said. Some of Ms. Watson’s highlights from the trip included being able to go on different tours of historical buildings throughout the city and setting foot in the places where key moments in American history took place hundreds of years ago. “Another thing I enjoyed about the trip was being able to see and be in the same areas where decisions were made,” she said.
Overall, both Ms. Sperber and Ms. Watson were elated about the opportunity to attend the conference and learn new things themselves. This is your sign to take inspiration from Ms. Sperber and Ms. Watson and go on your own adventure that will both excite and educate you.
