Natchez National Historical Park will be conducting a free teachers workshop June 18-22 at Melrose Estate. Teachers from all grades are invited to participate and CEUs will be granted from Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

What do Melrose, William Johnson House and Fort Rosalie have in common with the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains? We are all part of our country’s great National Parks system and despite the differences in size and visitation; we struggle with many of the same issues. One of those of course, is relevancy — more specifically how do we, as historical or natural resource areas that change very little, stay relevant in today’s fast-paced society? Let’s face it; modern technology has put information literally in our children’s hands, instant images at their fingertips.

When we introduce our children to our National Parks, we hope they become life-long stewards of those valuable natural and cultural resources that help define us as a nation. But today, we encounter children that have always lived in the computer age. In order for us to capture their imagination, to engage them in activities that reveal the wonders of our National Parks, we must entice them to put down their iPad or smart phone. Or better yet, persuade them to combine that electronic device with activities that explore their natural and cultural environments.

We are asking teachers to participate in a workshop and help us develop programs that do just that, programs that bring to area schoolchildren a greater understanding of the world at their front door. During the class, teachers will experience all that the Natchez National Historical Park has to offer. You will learn about the people and events that continue to influence us today. The staff of the Natchez NHP will present a series of experiential programs in the mornings, followed by collaborative program development in the afternoons. Whether it is science, math, history or English, we will help you develop programs based on Mississippi and Louisiana standards that will work in your classroom. Throughout the school year, we hope to introduce more classrooms, such as this, to the Natchez NHP.

The workshop is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 18-22 at Melrose. Teachers will earn up to three CEUs for their participation. The workshop is free. We are only accepting 20 teachers on a first-come basis and registrations are moving fast. For more information, please call Natchez National Historical Park at 601-446-5790.

 

David Wyrick is the chief of interpretation and resource management at the Natchez National Historical Park.