American Encounters (conference paper) : Teaching U.S. History from Indian Country

This paper is designed to discuss “American Encounters: Teaching U.S. History from Indian Country,” a staff development initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education Strengthening the Teaching of American History (STAH) program. This paper describes how this program attempts to increase the understanding, appreciation, and excitement for traditional American history among native and non-native students in Gallup-McKinley County New Mexico, centered on achieving this goal by actively involving teachers in the in-depth study of American history. The focus of the project in general is on increasing the history content knowledge and pedagogical skills of teacher participants as well as their understanding of the connection between the two areas. Data from surveys, observations and document analysis reveal that teachers, for the most part, are equipped to encourage student voice and enable multiple perspectives in the classroom when teaching American History.