White House History Teacher Institute

The White House is an enduring symbol of the United States. The structure serves multiple roles as a home, office, museum, and stage. For over 200 years, many individuals have influenced the space including first families, enslaved individuals, foreign visitors, curators, and the American public. At the White House History Teacher Institute (WHHTI), you will discover the wider history of this iconic building and explore how you can use these stories to enhance your classroom.

The in-person Institute is a five-day immersive teacher professional development program hosted by the White House Historical Association in Washington, D.C. and features discussions with historians, local site visits, inquiry-based learning activities, guest speakers, and the opportunity to network with fellow educators from across the country.

The Teacher Institute works to address these essential questions:

• Why does the White House matter? How has the structure and symbolism of the building changed over time?
• How did the White House and the surrounding neighborhood reflect larger movements and changes in United States history?
• Who has contributed to the White House over the centuries? What lesser-known stories of individuals are significant to our understanding of White House history?
• How did the White House evolve to simultaneously act as a home, office, museum, and stage?

How To Participate

Two weeks of the in-person WHHTI will be held in July 2024. To participate in the in-person Institute, educators must be selected through an application review process. Applications for the 2024 in-person WHHTI will open on January 8, 2024. The application asks for details about how this program will enhance your teaching and requires a submission of your current resumé and a letter of recommendation from a supervisor.

David M. Rubenstein Master Teachers

Our inaugural David M. Rubenstein Master Teachers participated in the 2022 Teacher Institute. Master Teachers are expected to lead their own interactive sessions, mentor participants, and share insights and strategies throughout the course of the Institute. Alumni from in-person Institutes are eligible to apply to be Master Teachers in 2024. Master Teacher applications will be open from September 22, 2023 through October 29, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.

Responsibilities of master teachers include…

• Participate in several virtual calls with Association Education staff and fellow master teachers prior to the Institute to discuss content, scheduling, and other aspects of the program
• Collaborate with master teacher team and Association Education staff to create White House history-specific educational materials, including a 30-minute lesson, a 5-minute warm up activity, and a 5-minute exit ticket that you will facilitate during the Institute
• Provide feedback and advice to staff about elements of the Institute agenda
• Support and mentor teacher participants from around the nation during the Institute; assist staff to ensure a positive experience for attendees by remaining inclusive, respectful, and engaged during the Institute
• As time allows, organize and lead evening dinners, activities, and trips not formally scheduled by staff as a part of the Institute
• Serve as a point of contact between Association Education staff and participants in the evenings and at the hotel

For more logistical information about the White House History Teacher Institute see our Frequently Asked Questions below or email us at education@whha.org.

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Frequently Asked Questions

SAFETY PROCEDURES

What safety measures should I be aware of to participate in-person in 2024?

We will continue to monitor guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will share communications related to this with accepted participants.

APPLICATIONS

How do I attend the White House History Teacher Institute?

Participants are selected for the in-person WHHTI through an application review process. To apply, you must complete an online application that details how this program will enhance your teaching and submit your current resumé and a letter of recommendation from a supervisor.

When is the application deadline?

Applications for the in-person program will open on January 8, 2024, and will close on February 19, 2024. Acceptances will be sent by March 29, 2024.

Who is eligible to apply? Do I have to be a history teacher?

The Institute is open to any pre-service or current K-12 educator. This includes, but is not limited to, classroom teachers of history, government, civics, social studies, language arts, and fine arts, as well as librarians, media specialists, and curriculum coordinators. There are no limitations based on school type (i.e., public, private, charter, or homeschool).

Unfortunately, retired teachers, those who have already attended an in-person Institute, and educators outside of the United States are not eligible for the in-person program at this time.

Will you accept pre-service teachers?

Yes, the Institute will consider applications for the in-person Institute from those studying to become classroom teachers. However, pre-service teachers should have experience in the classroom or be currently student teaching at the time of their application.

Can multiple teachers from the same school apply?

Yes, teachers from the same school or district can apply to the program; however, educators applying from the same school will be assessed on their individual merit and not as a team.

I teach outside the United States. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept teachers from other countries at the in-person Teacher Institute.

Who can write the letter of recommendation for my application to the in-person Institute? What should it include?

Your letter of recommendation should come from someone that holds a supervisorial role and oversees your teaching to some degree. Examples include, but are not limited to, a principal, vice principal, superintendent, school administrator, or department chair. The letter should show support for your participation in the White House History Teacher Institute and speak generally of you as an educator.

How are participants for the in-person Institute selected? How many spaces are available each session?

Each week has space for approximately 30 participants. The number of overall applications for these spots varies per year. Each applicant is individually assessed by a review panel using a rubric. The rubric that will be used to evaluate applications in 2024 considers:

• Content Relation
• Collaboration
• Teaching Style
• Reach Potential

When will I be notified if I have or have not been accepted?

All applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by March 29, 2024.

I am on the waitlist. How will I know if a spot becomes available?

Applicants put on the waitlist will be informed individually via email. There is no set time frame – we fill spots from our waitlist as they open and until the sessions are at max capacity.

I attended the White House History Teacher Institute before. Can I apply again?

If you participated in an in-person WHHTI previously, you cannot apply for the in-person Institute again. However, if you have only previously participated in one of our virtual Teacher Institutes, you are welcome to apply to participate in the in-person program.

In-person alumni are welcome to apply to be a David M. Rubenstein Master Teacher. Please see the above information about master teachers and email education@whha.org with questions.

COSTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS for the in-person program

Is there a cost to attend the White House History Teacher Institute? When do I pay fees?

There is no application fee. Upon acceptance, we do require a $50 registration fee to confirm your spot. This payment covers administrative costs and is non-refundable. This is the only payment you will make to the White House Historical Association.

What expenses does the program cover (lodging, meals, and travel)?

• Lodging: We provide shared hotel rooms for FREE from Sunday to Saturday during each week of programming. Each room will house two participants with two beds and one bathroom.
• Meals: We provide light breakfast and full lunch Monday through Friday. Participants are responsible for their meals on Sunday and Saturday, along with dinners throughout the week.
• Travel: We do not cover travel costs initially. Each individual participant must make their own arrangements to get to and from Sofitel/Washington, D.C. However, we do provide a stipend (contingent on full attendance) to each participant to offset these costs.

Are there stipends/scholarships available?

Yes, dependent on full attendance and participation, in-person participants will receive a stipend check. Exact stipend amounts for 2024 will be posted here soon. Historically, participants in the contiguous United States have received a $500 stipend and participants from Alaska and Hawai’i have received a $750 stipend.

Can I request a single room for lodging?

We only provide shared housing for participants. Those who prefer a private room will be responsible for their own arrangements, at their own expense.

I have food allergies/restrictions/am a vegetarian or vegan. What kinds of meals will be served?

Once accepted, we reach out to all participants to ask about dietary restrictions and food allergies. We will work with our caterer to provide meals that can accommodate your needs. If your diet is highly restrictive, you may want to pack supplementary food. If concerned, please contact us to discuss further.

I have a need for a mobility accommodation. Are the accommodations and program accessible?

We are glad to work with you to ensure accessibility for the accommodations, on-site programing, and off-site visits during the session. The Institute does typically include short walks (5-10 minutes) to nearby sites. For any location visits further than a 15-minute walk, we will provide a shuttle bus for the group. If concerned, please contact us to discuss further.

EXPECTATIONS for the in-person program

What can I expect at the Institute? How long are the days?

The White House History Teacher Institute days are structured to provide a mix of activities including historian lectures, classroom applications, and site visits. Participants will be expected to attend all sessions, all day Monday through Friday. In past years, the schedule has been approximately 8 am to 3 pm, with one night of evening programming.

We aim to provide a variety of experiences during the Institute. Previously, participants have visited Blair House, participated in Ranger Talks on the National Mall and other National Park Service sites, had conversations with former White House staff members, and of course, have toured the White House with representatives from the Curator’s Office.

Exact timing, sessions, speakers, and tours will be set at a later date.

Does the Institute include a visit to the White House? Will I meet the President or First Lady?

We plan to schedule a tour of the public spaces within the White House for each session, but this cannot be guaranteed and always has the possibility of being cancelled at the last minute due to circumstances outside of our control. Please also be aware that even if we tour the mansion, we will not meet the president or first lady.

What are my responsibilities as a participant?

During the week, your responsibility is to be a fully active participant in the activities and discussions. During the school year, we ask that you keep us up to date about how you’re using what you learned at the Institute in your classroom.

OTHER

Do you offer graduate credits or state certified PD credits?

We currently do not offer any graduate credits or official professional development credits. Upon completion of the in-person Institute, you will receive a letter acknowledging approximately 40 hours of participation in this program that can be used however you see fit within your district or school.

I am thinking about travel options. What’s the best way to get to D.C.? Should I drive?

For the in-person program, we encourage traveling by plane or train if possible. We do not recommend bringing a car, as our Institute’s lodging and location is in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. where parking is at a premium.

Can my spouse/child/friend participate?

Only educators accepted to the Institute may participate in the program’s activities and use the lodging provided. Using the provided hotel rooms to accommodate guests not accepted to the Institute is not permitted.

Testimonials

• This was one of the most well organized and engaging professional learning opportunities I've ever been to. Any teacher K-12 who teaches content related to U.S. history would find benefit for themselves and their students. – 2023 WHHTI Participant
• I would 100% recommend this to any educator looking to improve their knowledge of the White House or looking for the best professional development in Social Studies. – 2023 WHHTI Participant
• “My experience at the White House History Teacher Institute was everything I had hoped for and so much more. I had the opportunity to extend my learning as a student and as a teacher through collaboration and thought-provoking activities that I can bring back to my classroom.” – 2022 WHHTI Participant
• “This program is amazing. I loved it, it resparked my fire for teaching and made me so excited to go back to the classroom. I would highly recommend.” – 2019 WHHTI Participant