TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY INSTITUTE
The President at Work:
Historical Perspectives on the Kennedy Years
and Contemporary Views
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
June 29-July 1, 2009 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
July 2, 2009 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
For the eighth consecutive year, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, in
partnership with the Boston Public Schools, is offering a professional development program for
middle and high school teachers. This year’s institute, geared toward teachers of civics, United
States history, and American government, will examine several key roles of the presidency – first
looking back at how President Kennedy fulfilled each role in relation to the historical
circumstances of the early 1960s, and then examining President Obama’s approach to the office
in meeting current challenges.
Each morning will begin with a lecture by John P. Burke, Professor of Political Science at the
University of Vermont who has written widely on the presidency. He will discuss a particular
aspect of presidential leadership (e.g., commander-in-chief, manager of the economy, chief
executive). Following the opening talks, teachers will have the opportunity to engage with
distinguished guest speakers who can provide an insider’s view related to that day’s topic.
Speakers will include Andrew Card, President George W. Bush’s Chief of Staff from 20012006, and Leon Fuerth, Vice President Al Gore’s national security advisor from 1993-2000.
Each afternoon, Kennedy Library educators Nina Tisch and Sam Rubin will introduce
documentary materials from the Library's collections relating to the events and topics being
examined that day. Teachers will have the opportunity to meet in smaller groups to discuss ways
of incorporating these primary sources into their classroom curricula. Those who wish to earn 20
Professional Development Points (PDPs) may develop and submit lesson plans based on
resources gathered during the institute.
This program is supported by a Teaching American History Grant from the U.S. Department of
Education, and is open to classroom teachers in grades 7-12. There is no charge for those who
teach in the Boston Public Schools. The fee for non-BPS teachers is $100.
For further information on the program, call Nina Tisch at 617.514.1647 or e-mail
nina.tisch@nara.gov.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The President at Work:
Historical Perspectives on the Kennedy Years
and Contemporary Views
June 29-July 1, 2009 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
July 2, 2009 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration Form
Teacher Name:_______________________________________________________________________
What subjects and grade levels do you teach?:__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
School Name: _______________________________________________________________________
School Address: _____________________________________________________________________
School Telephone Number: __________________________________________________________
Home Address:______________________________________________________________________
Home Telephone: ___________________________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________________________________________
The fee for teachers who do not teach in the Boston Public Schools is $100.
Please make your check out to “Boston Educational Development Foundation” and send
it with your registration form to:
Nina Tisch
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
Please note that we can accept only a limited number of registrants. Registrants will be
accepted on a first come, first served basis.
If you have any questions, please contact Nina Tisch at 617-514-1647 or nina.tisch@nara.gov.