Down the Rabbit Hole of Blogging

I've been resisting writing a blog generally since my life's a bit complicated at the moment (more about that shortly) so this year's Keystones of the Federal Union TAH project is giving me a push.

I'm the project coordinator for this project, based in Harrisburg at The State Museum and State Archives (but I don't work for them, which I'll explain in another post).  I'll be your guide through the historical content pieces of this project as well as summer institute logistics and resources.

So, a bit about me - I have a masters in history with a certificate in museum studies.  My career has been entirely about professional development in the history world.  I spent seven years creating and delivering professional development for history museum professionals, both paid and volunteer.  Since 2003, I've had the delight of working with teachers through three Teaching American History grants.

I titled my blog "Reflecting on History" because I hope that's what you'll do.  In the complicated part of my life, I'm also a grad student.  I'm almost at the end of my first year of a D.Ed. program in Adult Education at Penn State Harrisburg.  One of the key elements this year has been reflecting on our practice - as we learn theories of adult learning and more about the field of adult education, we have to then reflect on what we do as adult educators to think about how this new knowledge affects what we do in our everyday work lives.

I hope that as you learn more about the period of the American Revolution and U.S. Constitution, you will reflect on how this new knowledge affects your understanding of this period in American history.  You'll probably get tired of hearing me say this, but my intent is that you as an adult learner will learn more about American history.  Since you are the expert in your classroom, I expect that you will then take your knowledge of American history and figure out what pieces fit into your teaching.  You won't be able to take everything we do immediately into the classroom.  Part of your reflecting on history is thinking about YOUR practice.