Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Center (PEHSC)
2008-09 Professional Development Workshops

The 2008-09 Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Center’s (PEHSC) professional development workshops will explore the cultures of four ethnic groups:  African American, Latino, Appalachian, and Native American.   These ethnic groups contribute vibrancy and diversity to Western Pennsylvania. The goal of the workshop series is to deepen teachers’ understanding of these cultures as well as provide them with strategies for helping students learn more about their own and other cultures.  Educational experiences that include information about ethnic diversity enable students to go beyond stereotypes to respecting cultural diversity.  We invite teachers to participate in one or all of the workshops.

Based on the best: Exploring African American and Latino society, culture, and art
through award winning children’s literature

A Professional Development Workshop
Wednesday, November 5, 2008      8:00am – 3:30pm
5604 Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh

The workshop Based on the best: Exploring African American and Latino society, culture, and art through award winning children’s literature is designed to enhance educators’ ability to teach about African American and Latino cultures through the use of literature.  Many of the books, poems, folklore being examined have received the Americas or Coretta Scott King Awards for children and young adult literature.  We are honored that two of the award-winning authors, Laura Resau, author of Red Glass and Sharon Flake, author of The Skin I’m In, have accepted invitations to make presentations on their most recent works followed by breakout sessions.  Other breakout sessions will be led by artists, teachers, and librarians; and are organized into four thematic tracks of Cultural Issues, Poetry and Creative Writing, Folklore, and Visual Arts including African American quilting and Mexican alebrijes (Oaxaca wood carvings). 

The workshop is approved for ten (10) Act 48 credit hours.  There is a $40 registration fee that includes continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, and the books Red Glass and The Skin I’m In. The books are required reading and will be sent upon registration.  Funding – for the first 20 teachers who register – is available to reimburse school districts for substitute teachers.  It will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.    Click here to register. 

This land is whose land?  Appalachia, the place we call home

Saturday TBA in January or February 2009
Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh

The workshop This land is whose land?  Appalachia, the place we call home will feature personal narratives and community stories to explore various aspects of Appalachian culture including its strong values and deep sense of place.  Southwestern Pennsylvania is part of Northern Appalachia with similarities and differences to other Appalachian regions.  The workshop will examine the regional cultures as well as address stereotypes and pressing issues that Appalachians are facing.  Teachers of all grades are welcome to spend the day working with Appalachian scholars who will guide us in understanding and exploring the diversity of the cultural. Teachers will have an opportunity to work with a curriculum specialist to design lessons using the content of the workshop.  The workshop is approved for eight (8) Act 48 credit hours.  Check back for more information and to register.

Native Americans of Pennsylvania: Past and present

Three evenings TBA in March or April 2009
Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15222

The workshop Native Americans of Pennsylvania: Past and present will be cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies and Senator John Heinz History Centers and take place over several evenings at the History Center.  Participants will explore the culture of several Pennsylvania Native American groups who resided in the State in the past and those who are still here.  Teachers will examine History exhibits, converse with Native American presenters, and access online and print resources to explore the complexity of Native American culture.  Participants will have the opportunity to develop lessons based on the content of the workshop through working with the PEHSC and History Center staff.  The workshop is approved for Act 48 credit hours.  Check back for more information and to register.

If you have any questions about the workshop content, contact Ms. Linda Deafenbaugh, Program Coordinator, Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Center by phone at 412.648.7572; fax at 412.648.2199 or by email at pehsc@pitt.edu

Click here for Registration