Tennessee Geographic Alliance
What’s in a Name?
Exploring Place Names as Forms of Social and Geographic Storytelling
The TGA is proud to announce the "What's in a Name?" workshop. This “’Teaching with Primary Sources Southern Regional Partner’ project has been made possible in part by funding from the Library of Congress.”
Where: East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
When: Monday, October 6th, and Tuesday, October 7th (9-5 ET)
The goals of this workshop are multifaceted and designed to directly benefit student learning:
- Enhance Geographic Literacy: Participants will deepen their understanding of fundamental geographic concepts, including location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.
- Utilize Primary Source Materials: Teachers will learn how to effectively utilize the historical resources to bring geographic concepts to life for their students.
- Develop Engaging Pedagogical Approaches: The workshop features interactive sessions and collaborative activities focused on developing innovative and engaging teaching methodologies that incorporate geographic thinking.
Who should apply?
We plan to engage fifteen secondary classroom teachers:
- One from each Congressional District (9)
- One at-large teacher from each Grand Division in Tennessee: West, Central, and East (3)
- Three teachers from the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Union (3)
The goal will be not to duplicate teacher participants within school systems. However, if we can’t qualify candidates from each of these prospective areas, we will fill open positions with the most qualified candidates regardless of their geography.
We value you!
- Participants will receive a $600 Stipend on successful completion of workshop requirements. $600 is the maximum someone can get paid and not have those funds reported to the IRS.
- Travel Support: For teachers residing more than 50 miles from the East Tennessee Historical Society, the TGA will cover hotel accommodations and per diem for applicable breakfasts and dinners
- All participants will receive lunch on workshop days.
- Mileage stipend for those coming outside of Knox County.
Pre-workshop Expectations
- Watch the Geography and Map Division Virtual Orientation (recorded): Teachers will respond to a Google Form
- Analyzing Primary Sources Module: Teachers provide a certificate
- Multiple Sources for Multiple Perspectives Module: Teachers provide a certificate
Post-workshop Expectations
For a final project, participants will submit a Esri Story Map focusing on the toponymy of a location. Story Maps must:
- Embed primary sources; such as, maps, multimedia, and narratives.
- Provide a rationale for keeping or changing the toponym.
- Respectfully address the concerns of those with oppossing viewpoints.
Contact the TGA
Executive Director: Brian Smith
Email: tngeogalliance@gmail.com
Website: https://www.tngeographicalliance.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tngeoalliance/
Twitter: @tngeogalliance