While thought of in a modern context as remote, the Ticonderoga peninsula on Lake Champlain found itself at the center of two centuries of contest for control of the North American continent. Using a comprehensive document and artifact collection that supports the study of the period from 1609-1815, this Institute explores the evolution of America’s military heritage, with an emphasis on the French & Indian War (1754-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783).
Twelve teachers will spend the week of July 9-14, 2023, at Ticonderoga using the museum’s object and archival collections to examine the age of exploration, the quest for control of the continent by competing European nations, the War for American Independence, and the War of 1812.
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Structure, Content, and Faculty
The Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute features lecture-based discussions with visiting scholars, experiential and immersive opportunities related to the French & Indian War and American Revolution, behind-the-scenes opportunities, document, and artifact analysis using the Fort Ticonderoga Collection, as well as classroom applications. Participants take part in activities revolving around artifacts and documents in Fort Ticonderoga’s renowned collections linked to Historical Thinking practices, the C3 Framework, and applicable state learning standards.
2023 Faculty
- Richard M. Strum, Fort Ticonderoga’s Director of Academic Programs, serves as Institute Director. Rich has 30 years’ experience in the museum education field and has been at Fort Ticonderoga since 1999. He is the author of two books for young readers related to the American Revolution.
- Timothy Potts has taught middle-level Social Studies for 30 years at the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School in Monticello, New York. He is a Past President of the New York State Council for Social Studies and current Treasurer. Tim has presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences on innovative ways to teach Social Studies.
- Dr. Kristi Fragnoli teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Education at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. In addition to teaching the next generation of K-12 teachers, Kristi consults with the New York State Archives and is a member of the NYS Education Department Content Advisory Board for Social Studies. She is a frequent presenter at the National Council for the Social Studies conference, as well as the New York State Council for the Social Studies.
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Eligibility
Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers in public, charter, independent, religious-affiliated schools, and homeschooling parents are eligible. Teachers will be accepted from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, US territories, as well as from Canada.
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Scholarships
Fort Ticonderoga offers scholarships to all teachers accepted to attend the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute. The scholarship includes:
- Overnight accommodations for five nights at the Best Western Plus Ticonderoga Inn and Suites, based on double-occupancy. A limited number of private rooms may be available.
- Welcome dinner on Sunday evening, breakfasts at the hotel Monday through Friday, and lunches at America’s Fort Café Monday through Thursday.
- Admission to Fort Ticonderoga and all Teacher Institute activities.
- Up to $800 to reimburse travel expenses (receipts required).
- All teacher resources and books.
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Application Information
Teachers wishing to attend the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute must submit an application due no later than March 15, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by April 15, 2023.
Successful applicants will have ten days to accept and pay a $150 deposit. This deposit will be refunded upon receipt and acceptance of the final project, due no later than September 15, 2023.
A complete application includes:
- The completed Google form includes the following information and submissions:
- Contact information
- Details about where and what you teach
- Several short-answer questions
- A place to upload an essay as either a Word or PDF document
- A place to upload your C.V. or resume
- Applicants should ask for a letter of recommendation from their principal or department head in support of your application. That recommendation should be emailed directly to Rich Strum at rstrum@fort-ticonderoga.org as an attachment. The email subject line should say “Teacher Institute Recommendation.”
- The completed Google form includes the following information and submissions:
Additional Information
Facilities & Housing
Our daily activities will primarily occur in the Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga. Housed within the recreated Magasin du Roi (King’s Warehouse), the Mars Education Center provides modern classroom and meeting spaces with Wi-Fi for the museum’s expanding education and academic programs.
Teacher Institute participants will stay at the Best Western Plus Ticonderoga Inn and Suites, located about two miles from Fort Ticonderoga. Rooms are based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms may be available.
Graduate Credits
Teachers requiring graduate credits can accrue them through an arrangement with Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont. To earn three graduate credits, teachers must meet course requirements by submitting all assignments no later than September 15, 2023. The cost is $375 and will be paid to “Fort Ticonderoga.”
Deadline and Notification
Applications must be received by 11:50pm EDT on March 15, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by April 15, 2023, and will have until April 25, 2023, to accept or decline the offer. Teachers accepting the scholarship will need to pay the $150 deposit at the time of acceptance.
Contact Information
Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Teacher Institute! If you have any additional questions, contact Rich Strum, Director of Academic Programs at rstrum@fort-ticonderoga.org.