Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District > District News > Teachers hitting the classroom to benefit their students
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Teachers hitting the classroom to benefit their students

During the summer months, teachers take time to plan and organize for the upcoming school year. This summer, BKW Secondary School teacher Mr. Whitfield participated in an in-person historical program courtesy of the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute from July 13-18 at the original Fort Ticonderoga site. 

During the summer months, teachers take time to plan and organize for the upcoming school year. This summer, BKW Secondary School teacher Mr. Whitfield participated in an in-person historical program courtesy of the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute. Photo courtesy of Mr. Whitfield.
During the summer months, teachers take time to plan and organize for the upcoming school year. This summer, BKW Secondary School teacher Mr. Whitfield participated in an in-person historical program courtesy of the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute. Photo courtesy of Mr. Whitfield.

During this week-long experience, located on the shores of Lake Champlain and between New York’s Adirondack and Vermont’s Green Mountains, Mr. Whitfield immersed himself in the data and perspectives of this historical site, gaining information and insight to share with his U.S. History, Global 9 and AP U.S. History students. This visit also coincided with the 250th anniversary of the Fort and its role in early American history.

“The opportunity to participate in the Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute was a historical milestone for myself and other attendees,” said Mr. Whitfield. “To have access to historical artifacts and documentation was amazing, along with touring the facility and learning more about our regional place in history. It will be a huge benefit to show our students about this important time.”

Working with onsite experts one-on-one, handling artifacts, and learning about life in the 17th and early 1800s at the fort – Mr. Whitfield got to experience a firsthand historical perspective of New York state. Photo courtesy of Mr. Whitfield.
Working with onsite experts one-on-one, handling artifacts, and learning about life in the 17th and early 1800s at the fort – Mr. Whitfield got to experience a firsthand historical perspective of New York state. Photo courtesy of Mr. Whitfield.

Working with onsite experts one-on-one, handling artifacts, and learning about life in the 17th and early 1800s at the fort – Mr. Whitfield got to experience a firsthand historical perspective that he could then share with his students and fellow staff. Attendees went through catalogs of transcripts and historical markings and got to view various collections and artifacts with supporting documentation.

“The work being conducted at the Fort Ticonderoga site is truly inspiring and something to be shared with our students at BKW,” shared Mr. Whitfield. “This is such a valuable resource for anyone seeking to visit New York’s historical treasures. I’m fortunate to be able to share this information with my students in the classroom.”