LYNN — Lynn English High School teacher Erin LeColst is one of only 58 educators selected for a National History Day fall professional development program.
For the past several months, LeColst has been attending monthly webinars through the “Inspiring Student Research” professional development program, which has involved working with her peers around the country and National History Day staff to build knowledge for teaching with primary sources.
The course, which includes a final webinar in December, has focused on using online Library of Congress primary and secondary sources to develop and support student research skills and is a feature of Maryland-based nonprofit National History Day’s membership in the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Consortium.
The 58 teachers selected for the program represent 40 of National History Day’s affiliates across the country and around the world, which includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and international school programs in China, South Asia and South Korea.
“It’s been wonderful,” said LeColst, 43. “We are working with the Library of Congress, two coordinators from the Library of Congress and a historical professor from MIT. Every month we focus on a different type of primary source to work with to introduce it to our students.”
Since starting the course, she’s been able to introduce primary sources, such as personal letters, artwork, photographs, music and recordings of speeches, into her curriculum at Lynn English, where she teaches government and history.
She said the webinar aligns with how the high school history curriculum has shifted its focus over the past five to 10 years, which has included “digging into the analysis of primary source documents.
“(The course) was good for me because I always want to bring something in to enrich what we’re doing,” said LeColst. “It’s broadened the horizon of what’s out there for students to experience history, instead of just reading about it.”
LeColst, a teacher for 15 years, including the past seven at Lynn English, said she often applies for professional scholarship opportunities, but has never been selected for one until this particular program. She was delighted to be chosen for the program, which covers the cost of a three-credit graduate course offered through the University of San Diego.
“This course has particular value now as teachers and students continue to address challenges of non-traditional learning settings required by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn.
“The crucial skills Ms. LeColst is learning and honing over the course of this series will benefit her students for many years to come. As a Library of Congress TPS Consortium member, we are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity for teachers.”
LeColst said it’s been fun to bring new things into the classroom that she has been picking up through the program, and looks forward to trying some other resources offered by National History Day.
“I love history,” said LeColst. “I’m a history buff. And I love government, so anything I can learn about those things a little bit deeper, I always try to. The more I have in my toolbox, the more I can bring into my classroom. I want them to feel a connection and love it as much as I do because that (improves) the experience for them.”
