The Dakota Writing Project 2011 Identity Institute

Co-sponsored by the Holocaust Educators Network

Exploring the Issues of Cultural Trauma, Identity, and Resilience in the Jewish and Native American Communities

What: The Dakota Writing Project Identity Institute (formerly known as the Holocaust Institute)

When: July 10 -July 15, 2011 (also, online activities; follow-up meeting October 22, 2011)

Where: Crazy Horse Memorial Welcome/ Orientation Center in Crazy Horse, South Dakota

Who: For teachers and other educators in a variety of subject areas

Cost:

General Public:
Early registration by June 17, 2011	$200 DWP "general public" registration fee plus housing, food, and costs for three graduate credits at University of South Dakota Continuing Education rates
Late registration (after June 17, 2011)	$250 DWP "general public" registration fee plus housing, food, and costs for three graduate credits at Continuing Education rates

DWP teacher-consultants (educators who completed the Dakota Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute):
Early registration by June 17, 2011	$100 DWP teacher-consultant registration fee plus housing, food, and costs for three graduate credits at Continuing Education rates
Late registration (after June 17, 2011)	$150 DWP teacher-consultant registration fee plus housing, food, and costs for three graduate credits at Continuing Education rates

Identity Institute Registration Instructions

To register:

Fill out the information form below, and
Pay the DWP registration fee, and pay for course credits at https://aceware.usd.edu/CourseStatus.awp?~~16471.

Some comments by teachers who participated in the 2010 Holocaust Institute:

"I have learned so much from this Institute! I have numerous resources to help me continue to grow professionally. I have gained insight into the importance of teaching on the Holocaust, Native Americans, genocides, and historical trauma and the effects of that. I have learned both personally and professionally to remember the multiple perspectives that are always involved in human interaction. I have learned how to explore, discover, and teach identity in an appropriate way."

"The structure of the Institute lent itself very well to the development of the unit plans. We were given time to explore, think, collaborate, and work through the process in a supportive environment."

"This institute was challenging, emotional, and inspiring. The group of teachers inspires me. I want to keep teaching because of this. I feel like I could be a teacher for many more years and be satisfied as a professional."

"I have been refreshed and reenergized by the quality of the teachers and instruction at this Institute. I have enjoyed discussing difficult teaching topics and have felt that the participants and leaders were open and sincere, which built an open community in which to collaborate. I personally feel more in touch with my identity while also feeling more confident in reaching out to others with differing backgrounds."

"I am thankful to those who worked to put this together. This has given me great tools to include information about the Native American culture. I have been [hesitant] to include much before now because I did not want to misrepresent a culture that I value. I have more confidence now."

DWP teacher-consultants leading this institute include the following individuals:

Professor Jan Hausmann. — Hausmann teaches at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota; attended the 2008 Memorial Library Summer Seminar on Holocaust Education in New York City; and regularly incorporates Holocaust literature into her courses for pre-service teachers.

Sue Morrell. — Morrell, a National Board Certified teacher, teaches English courses at Wagner Community School, in a school district that includes a significant Native student population.

Professor Jason Murray. — Murray completed his PhD in English at the University of South Dakota and has accepted a position at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He is a Native American (Chocktaw and Chickasaw).

About the Identity Institute

Using identity as a central theme, the institute will focus on the resilience of the Jewish and Native American communities when confronted with traumatic events such as the Holocaust and the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. Teachers and other educators at this institute will explore these issues and develop unit plans that can be brought back to their classrooms. This institute is intended to help teachers and their students appreciate the importance of tolerance, acceptance, and respect of all cultures while recognizing the unique challenges that our state faces. Educators who attend the Institute will receive a free trunk, as well as free books and other teaching materials, thanks in part to support from the Holocaust Educators Network.

At the Holocaust Institute, we will

Focus on catastrophe and healing, discussing where our students are now in their understanding of perpetrators, victims, bystanders, and rescuers—as related to the Holocaust, Native Americans, and individuals within their own classrooms and larger communities.
Discuss readings and other relevant materials on the Jewish Holocaust and Native American genocides, as well as connecting with guest presenters.
Discuss the process of integrating the state standards into classroom activities on the Jewish Holocaust and Native American genocides.
Share classroom strategies that can be used to help students understand that teasing and harassment can lead to intolerance and a lack of respect for others' cultural/racial identities.
Develop writing assignments and other classroom activities that will support our students’ understanding of tolerance and respect for others.
Receive a curriculum trunk in which to add books and other materials that they might use in the classroom and which will serve as a significant symbol of the Holocaust.
Participate in online discussions August 8-13, September 12-17, and October 10-15.
Attend a follow-up meeting October 22, 2011.

The Dakota Writing Project 2011 Identity Institute is co-sponsored by the Holocaust Educators Network (HEN). For more information about HEN, visit http://www.holocausteducators.org/.

Established in 1982 and closely affiliated with the National Writing Project (NWP), the Dakota Writing Project is one of approximately 190 Writing Project sites across the nation. The Dakota Writing Project (DWP) offers South Dakota teachers in any subject area and at any grade level (kindergarten through college) opportunities for professional development, including a four-week invitational summer institute, writing retreats, national meetings, and in-service in South Dakota schools. DWP provides opportunities for some of the best teachers in the state to become teacher-consultants and lead professional development. For more information, email dwp@usd.edu or visit http://orgs.usd.edu/dwp.