TOLEDO, Ohio — A teacher at the Glass City Academy will be spending part of her summer break in Washington D.C.
Social studies teacher Brianna Appelfeller is one of nine teachers chosen across the nation to help lead a workshop as a "master teacher" about the White House and how its history can be used in the classroom, as part of the White House History Teacher Institute.
"Being selected as a master educator for the White House history institute, I'm looking forward to leading a group through the institute. People that are invited just like I was," Appelfeller said.
The institute, part of the White House Historical Association selects 60 teachers every year to participate in a five-day workshop.
"They'll hear from historians on the staff who are always conducting research to help share this history, the institute's K-12 Director, Samantha Hunter-Gibbs, said. "We'll also speak with former White House staff. It's always really interesting to hear their personal former anecdotes and experiences."
Hunter-Gibbs said the goal of the organization is to preserve the history of the White House because students are not usually taught about the landmark building and its stories unless the teacher has a particular interest in it.
And that's the beauty of the workshop: it happens in the building itself.
"You can read about the White House and you can watch TV shows about the White House, but there's something different about actually being in the walls, being able to look at the building and say 'wow, I can feel the impact of these stories, I can feel the inspiration or the feelings that different people felt," Hunter-Gibbs said.
Appelfeller said she will be able to bring what she learned back to the students and help them feel connected to it.
"I do it all for the kids," Appelfeller said. "I love my students, they're my No. 1 supporters and my biggest fans. I want them to see that they are capable of doing anything they put their minds to."
This is actually the second time Appelfeller will be attending the institute. She went last year with the group and loved being able to bring back pictures and history to share with her students.