AUSTIN, TX—In June, AISD teachers were among a select group of educators from across the state who attended “America at War in the Twentieth Century,” a professional development institute sponsored by Humanities Texas, the University of Texas at տƵ, the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas at El Paso.
“Giving talented teachers the opportunity to interact with their peers and leading scholars will enable them to engage students with exciting new perspectives on our nation’s history,” Michael L. Gillette, Humanities Texas executive director, said.
“America at War in the Twentieth Century” drew teachers to the UT, UTSA and UTEP campuses for four days of lectures and workshops.
AISD attendees included:
տƵ institute
- Matthew Balter from Burnet Middle տƵ
- Stephen Ray from Covington Middle տƵ
- Michael Shackelford from O. Henry Middle տƵ
- Kristin Hendricks from Crockett High տƵ
San Antonio institute
- Erin Summerville from McCallum High տƵ
- Michael Eckert from Eastside Memorial High տƵ
- Hart Murphy from William B. Travis High տƵ
- Daniel Smith from Lamar Middle տƵ
El Paso institute
- Sandra Portillo from Burnet Middle տƵ
“I plan on using this information to help me teach to a deeper level of understanding, especially with my gifted and talented kids,” Shackelford, a U.S. history and English language arts teacher at O. Henry Middle տƵ, said.
“America at War in the Twentieth Century” was made possible with support from the State of Texas as well as from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People initiative.
Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, conducts programs to improve the quality of classroom teaching throughout Texas.
For more information about Humanities Texas, visit or contact Michael L. Gillette at (512) 440-1991.