Teachers As Scholars

• 2008-2009 Teachers as Scholars Seminars (PDF Brochure)

Teachers As Scholars was created through the collaborative effort of TCNJ’s Professional Development School Network (consisting of 22 area partner districts), the School of Education, and the School of Culture and Society. During the 2006 spring semester,TAS was launched at TCNJ as a result of a grant from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

Teachers As Scholars began in 1996 as a collaborative project between Harvard University and Brookline School District. Since 1998, theWoodrowWilson National Fellowship Foundation has promoted the program as a national network by providing modest startup funds and technical assistance for colleges and universities. Each year, thousands of teachers participate in seminars with arts and science faculty from nearby universities.

The goal of the seminar network is threefold:

1. to reinvigorate and reestablish teachers of academic and intellectual leaders by giving them time to reflect and discuss new ideas and recent scholarship with colleagues;
2. to give equal opportunity, over time, to all teachers in a district to examine and learn cutting edge scholarship as part of their working day; and
3. to encourage real relationships between arts and science faculty and classroom teachers, while improving articulation between K–12 schools and higher education.

The teachers and professors who participated in our first series of seminar offerings raved about their experience. Intellectually stimulating, invigorating, challenging, dynamic, meaningful, and creative were but a few of the words used to describe their participation in TCNJ’s inaugural TAS seminars. The 2006 program far exceeded our expectations.

As a result of our success, we are offering Teachers As Scholars seminars during the fall and spring semesters of our 2008–2009 academic year. Teachers who have been selected by their school districts can choose a seminar from the 12 that are described in the brochure. Each seminar consists of two sessions and they will be presented on the scenic campus of The College of New Jersey.

We will offer 13 two-day seminars and 4 one-day World Issues Symposia featuring outstanding members of The College of New Jersey’s liberal arts and science faculty who will lead the seminars. Each member school district of our Professional Development School Network will select one teacher to attend each of the seminars during the fall and spring 2008–2009 semesters.

These programs will bring together school teachers with university faculty in a climate that will enrich and expand the teaching and learning opportunities of both groups, while challenging and stimulating the intellectual interests and curiosity of all participants.These programs are open to all K–12 teachers regardless of certification or teaching assignment.

Professors who lead the seminars demonstrate great passion and scholarly interest for the disciplines they teach. K–12 teachers who share that interest are invited to apply by contacting their local school district leaders.

Our brochure outlines the process by which teachers will be selected to participate in the program.The seminars will be conducted on the campus of The College of New Jersey from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M. The dates of the two-day seminars are also noted. Ten professional development hours will be awarded to teachers who participate in the two-day seminars.