The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with Boston Public Schools, will present a 5-day institute for teachers on the history of the Cold War from June 26-30, 2006. The program, to be held at the Kennedy Library, will focus on such topics as Berlin, Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Dr. David Engerman, Associate Professor of History at Brandeis University, will begin each morning with a presentation providing historical context for the day’s discussion. Following his talk, teachers will have the opportunity to engage with distinguished guest speakers who bring an “eyewitness” perspective. Previous participants have included Theodore Sorensen, Special Counsel to President Kennedy; Harlan Cleveland, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO; and Carl Kaysen, Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs in the Kennedy Administration.
Each afternoon, Kennedy Library educators Nina Tisch and Sam Rubin will introduce documentary materials from the Library's collections relating to the events and topics being examined that day. Teachers will have the opportunity to meet in smaller groups to discuss ways of incorporating these primary sources into their classroom curricula. Those who wish to earn Professional Development Points (PDPs) may develop and submit lesson plans based on resources gathered during the institute.
This program is open to all high school and middle school history teachers, whether or not they teach in the Boston Public Schools. For more information, please contact Nina Tisch at 617-514-1647 or at Nina.Tisch@nara.gov.