Gaines Center Accepting Applications for 2017 Summer Teaching Institute

The Ernest J. Gaines Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is hosting the Ernest J. Gaines Summer Teaching Institute for the summer 2017 session. This institute offers an innovative package of professional development opportunities and experiences for classroom teachers and will be held from June 12-19, 2017. The Ernest J. Gaines Summer Teaching Institute is open to all K-12 educators in the Acadiana region.

For one week, participants will engage in rich facilitation from University of Louisiana at Lafayette scholars as teacher scholars interact with the authenticity of Ernest J. Gaines writing through the short stories in the book Bloodline. Gaines fiction connects real life stories to curriculum which are applicable for middle school or secondary students. By the end of the week, each participant will design innovative curriculum purposefully aligned to Louisiana state teaching standards. Teachers will reflectively respond to the short stories and primary artifacts within Gaines writing. The outcomes of Gaines’ legacy will be used as a catalyst to reach a deeper understanding of how narrative fiction brings a unique medium for relational learning and human connection for students in a classroom. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2017.

Requirements:

To apply, applicants must send the following to gainescenter@louisiana.edu:

• A current Curriculum Vitae (outlining their education, areas of certification, years of experience and grade levels taught, and areas of professional interest and organizations).
• A one page letter of intent summarizing their interest in attending and how they hope to implement Gaines’s work in the classroom.
• A letter of support from an administrator.

Participants will receive:

• A stipend of $125 to defray some of the costs for travel and food.
• A USB drive with all templates needed to participate in the week long workshop
• A copy of the Bloodline by Ernest J. Gaines

Activities:

• Round table discussion
• Examination of archival materials
• Lectures from Ernest J. Gaines scholars Dr. Marcia Gaudet, Dr. Darrell Bourque and Dr. Roxanne Bourque
• Creation of supplemental curriculum for the classroom

For more information, contact Cheylon Woods at (337)-482-1848 or gainescenter@louisiana.edu.