In addition to teaching seventh-grade history, a Fayetteville-Manlius School District educator is taking another step in helping young Americans better understand the U.S. Constitution and its legacy to freedom.
In February, Eagle Hill Middle School teacher Rebecca Stephens was selected to serve on the National Constitution Center’s Teacher Advisory Board, which helps create, support and oversee the innovative museum’s educational resources.
Located in Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center was chartered by U.S. Congress to disseminate information about the Constitution on a nonpartisan basis. In addition to a museum that includes hands-on exhibits and programs, the Center’s online presence offers innovative lesson plans and activities for middle and high school students. The advisory helps to develop these online initiatives – which include webcasts, blogs and educational resources – and offers educators various strategies for connecting the Constitution to classroom curriculum.
“The National Constitution Center is grateful for the time and expertise that our educators on the Teacher Advisory Board offer the Center,” said Dr. Kerry Sautner, the Center’s chief learning officer. “Their professional learning experience and training are key assets in building robust, student-centered, tested materials for classrooms across the nation.”
In addition to composing study guides and other resources, Mrs. Stephens will collaborate with colleagues from across the country during professional development sessions, presentations, and workshops.
Of the 18 candidates selected for the newly-expanded advisory, Mrs. Stephens is one of only two teachers from New York state.
Eagle Hill Middle School teacher Rebecca Stephens will serve on the National Constitution Center’s Teacher Advisory Board.