Teachers' Conference at the Bob Bullock Museum

A conference for teachers of Texas history was held at the Bob Bullock State Museum in Austin on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19 and 20. The conference was co-sponsored by the Bob Bullock Museum, the Texas State Historical Association, the Texas General Land Office Archives and Archives, the Texas Historical Commission, and the Austin ISD.

Austin ISD teachers could participate in the conference at no cost, and all participants received two days of professional development credit. There were 94 participants, with a waiting list of 68 teachers. Of course, the Bob Bullock Museum is a superb site for a conference on Texas history, with its imaginative displays and rich collections.

Buck Cole, K-12 Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records

 

The program was put together by Charles Nugent, TSHA Adult Education Programs Manager. As Texas State Historian I have worked with Charles on a large number of these teacher conferences during the past few years, and I am always impressed at the stellar lineup of presenters he is able to assemble. I am looking forward to speaking on "The Spanish in Texas" at a teacher conference on August 7 at the Region 10 Education Center in Richardson, and later that same week, August 10, at the Texas State Library and Archives building in Austin.

At the Bob Bullock I was asked to speak after lunch on Tuesday on "The Texas Revolution." There were many veteran teachers in the group of 94, along with a few newly-minted teachers.



With Charles Nugent



Several of the experienced teachers had been reassigned to Texas history classrooms for 2017-18, and they were universally excited to be teaching about the Lone Star State.

These knowledgeable Texas historians provided a highly responsive audience. Of course, the Texas Revolution is filled with drama and heroism and tragedy, highlighted by such Texas icons as the Alamo, San Jacinto, James Bowie, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston. I used a number of props, which I hope provided a few classroom ideas for the teachers, and the hour went by rapidly. The teachers asked some fine questions, and I wished them all well in the upcoming school year.