The Kennedy Library partnered with the Boston Public Schools to present an institute for secondary teachers of U.S. history, civics and government on The President at Work, June 29-July 2, 2009. The goals of the program were to enhance teachers’ understanding of how presidents in modern times have approached key roles of the office (e.g., Chief Executive, Crisis Manager, Legislative Leader) and to provide relevant primary sources for classroom use.
The institute featured lectures by presidential scholar John P. Burke, and informal discussions with special guests who had served in recent administrations: Andrew Card, chief of staff for President George W. Bush; David Abshire, special counselor to President Reagan; Leon Fuerth, national security advisor to Vice President Al Gore; and Susan Brophy, deputy director of Legislative Affairs for President Clinton.
Participants also received packets of documents related to each day’s theme drawn from the archives, and Kennedy Library educators Nina Tisch and Sam Rubin presented ideas for incorporating these source materials into the curriculum. “The institute helped me understand the multiplicity of factors that go into a presidential decision,” according to
one participant. “I loved the speakers,” said another, “and the insight that they provided into the inner workings of the executive branch.” The President at Work was supported by a U.S. Department of Education Teaching American History Grant.