The United States Department of Education recently announced Pender County Schools will receive a multi-year Teaching American History grant totaling $967,823.  Pender County Schools was one of 123 school districts in 38 states and one of two school districts in North Carolina to receive this grant.  
    Teaching American History in North Carolina is a three-year collaborative project to improve the teaching and learning of traditional American History in Southeast North Carolina.  The primary partners in the project are Pender County Schools, New Hanover County Schools, Brunswick County Schools, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the North Carolina Humanities Teaching Council, and the History Teaching Alliance.  Other local, state, and national historic scholars, sites, organizations, and museums will be involved.  
    The grant will provide professional development funds for 75 teachers over a three-year period.  Selected teachers from Pender County Schools, New Hanover County Schools, and Brunswick County Schools will participate in content seminars, visit historic sites, and develop lesson plans.  The project will focus on local history and its connection to the nation’s history. 
    Superintendent Allison Sholar stated, “This partnership between three school districts and UNC Wilmington will provide a regional approach to improving the quality of teaching US history.”  She added, “As instruction improves, students will receive additional educational opportunities and gain a deeper appreciation of American history.”  “Receiving this grant for staff development funds during the current budget crisis fulfills an unmet need for staff training,” she said. 
    For additional information, including how to apply to take part in the project, contact Bobby Hudspeth, Secondary Education Director for Pender County Schools  259-2187.