Northeast Summer Institutes
What are the Summer Institutes?
The ICS Summer Institutes are professional development programs held virtually on Zoom during the summer months. Designed for middle and high school history/social studies and ELA teachers, our Summer Institutes provide an in-depth learning experience on our various curricular offerings. Participants will deepen their content knowledge, gain new teaching strategies, and collaborate with fellow educators.
Who can participate?
Our Northeast Summer Institutes are designed exclusively for middle and high school social studies teachers who work in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. The programs are open to any teacher at an accredited public/charter/private/parochial school in those states who will be teaching during the next school year. Teachers of subjects other than social studies and ELA may apply, but they should explain in their application how they plan to incorporate the lesson topics into their curriculum. All applications received within the submission window will receive a fair assessment.
What is the cost?
ICS provides these in-depth learning opportunities to educators for free. In addition, participants who complete a Summer Institute will receive a stipend. When registering, you will be required to submit a $50 deposit to secure your place. Upon completion of the Summer Institute, you will receive your deposit along with your stipend.
What topics are covered during a Summer Institute?
This summer, we are offering two different learning tracks:
Teaching the History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Using Primary Sources
In this program, you will understand the history of this complex conflict – from its origins in late 19th century nationalist movements up to the mid-2000s – and focus on turning points and key events along the way. Participants will learn new strategies for engaging students with primary source documents, collaborate with fellow educators, and receive ready-to-use lesson plans and standards-aligned curricula.
Jewish History
In this program, you will understand the basics of Judaism, the origins of antisemitism and how it has evolved over time, the story of America’s largest wave of Jewish immigration, and what Jewish American identity looks like today. Participants will learn new strategies for engaging students with primary source documents, collaborate with fellow educators, and receive ready-to-use lesson plans and standards-driven curricula.
Can I participate in both Summer Institute tracks?
Absolutely! Please note that if you are accepted to both tracks, you will have to submit a $50 deposit for each event. If you are interested in both tracks, you can apply for both on ONE application.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Those who complete a Summer Institute will receive a certificate indicating hours of participation:
- Jewish History = Earn 6 hours of credit upon completion
- Teaching the History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Using Primary Sources = Earn 9 hours of credit upon completion
How do I apply?
Click on the track that you are interested in to access the application. As a reminder, if you are interested in both tracks, you can apply for both on ONE application.
Summer Institute Testimonials
This is honestly one of the best PDs I have been exposed to. The pacing was great, the resources (both primary resources and ways of interacting with them) were well curated, and the presenter was knowledgeable and really treated us all like professionals.
~ Teacher from 2021 Kentucky Summer Institute
I was pleasantly surprised by how awesome this institute was…I came just expecting some content, but gained a lot of content AND resources ALONG with powerful teaching methods, practical tools, and varied collaboration strategies! So many PDs require really searching for the gems, but this PD was rich with valuable information and practices!
~ Teacher from 2021 Oklahoma Summer Institute
I was worried that this would not be balanced. I need not worry, as this was very much fact-based and very balanced.
~ Teacher from 2021 Kentucky Summer Institute
It has added more resources that I can use to reach my students and allow them to form their own opinions based on primary documents.
~ Teacher from 2020 Georgia Summer Institute
I feel like I can teach it with more confidence and not sound one sided, which was always big fear of mine.
~ Teacher from 2020 New York Summer Institute
This is a training worth taking. So often we have to sit through PD that is… not usable in any real way. If I had class tomorrow, I could use this which is invaluable.
~ Teacher from 2020 Georgia Summer Institute
I really liked how balanced the materials were in providing both sides of the issue with the focus on the primary source documents, supplemented by the short content rich videos.
~ Teacher from 2020 New York Summer Institute
