Source: Thomas Vontz, 785-532-5927, tvontz@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu

THINKING CONSTITUTIONALLY: IDEAS, ISSUES AND INDIVIDUALS FOCUS OF FREE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS' WORKSHOP, JULY 24-28

MANHATTAN -- How to teach constitutional ideas is the focus of a free workshop for social studies teachers being offered by Kansas State University, July 24-28, at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel, Topeka. Registration deadline is Monday, June 27.

Thinking Constitutionally: Ideas, Issues and Individuals is a We the People workshop on ideas that guide the nation. A fully funded standards-based professional development opportunity, this workshop is for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

"The workshop provides educators with insight for teaching important constitutional ideas that have played a large role in the nation's founding," said Thomas Vontz, associate professor of curriculum and instruction and director of the Center for Social Studies Education at K-State.

Participants will learn about the origins, development and contemporary application of constitutional ideas. Mentor teachers will guide participants through workshop activities, including sessions on core civic ideas, teaching methods and resources.

Free lodging is provided to workshop participants through the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, in addition to a travel stipend and free meals on workshop dates. The workshop is also available for one to three graduate credit hours through the K-State Division of Continuing Education.

"Teachers opting to earn graduate credit from the workshop can advance their understanding of constitutional ideas and obtain professional training in how to teach them," Vontz said.

The workshop includes a reception dinner July 24 at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.

Featured workshop presenters include: John Patrick, professor at Indiana University; Richard Hardy, professor at Western Illinois University; and Elizabeth Hardy, professor at the University of Florida.

Learn more and register online at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/civil-rights/, or call the K-State Division of Continuing Education conference registration office at 785-532-5569 or 1-800-432-8222.