June 14th, 2023 Zoom Workshop: "East Asian Literature and Personal Stories"
“East Asian Literature and Personal Stories”
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
9:30 am to 5:30 pm EST(8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central)
An online East Asia professional development opportunity for Tennessee, Mississippi, and
Georgia middle and high language arts and school social studies teachers,
educational leaders, and teachers in related fields sponsored by
the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA)
To apply for the program, visit here
“East Asian Literature and Personal Stories” will take place on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm EST (8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central) online over Zoom teleconference software.
Participants in the one-day Zoom workshop will receive 8 hours of professional development credit through NCTA, a $100 stipend, and complimentary East Asia teaching resources by attending the entire one-day workshop and completing a brief evaluation shortly before the conclusion of the workshop. Public or private Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia middle and high school language arts and social studies teachers, educational leaders, and teachers in related fields interested in learning more about East Asian literature, culture, and history, are eligible to apply.
Workshop participants will hear personal stories based upon speakers' experiences (and those of their families) in Japan, Korea, and China, as well as learn about East Asian literature appropriate for middle and high school students. Speakers include award-winning authors of young adult East Asia novels as well as educators with extensive experience working with middle and high school teachers. Examples of workshop speakers and sessions include:
- Kim Holder, Director, Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, University of West Georgia, “From a Korean Orphanage to a Prosperous American Life: My Personal Story.”
- Rebecca Byrd, Social Studies Teacher and NCTA Faculty Fellow, Sevier County High School, Sevierville, TN, “What I Learned About Japan From Informational Texts.”
- Eleanor McCallie Cooper, Middle School Literature Author, “Dragonfly Dreams: The Life of a Family Living in China Before and After Japan’s 1941–1945 Wartime Occupation.”
- Waka Brown, Curriculum Specialist for the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) and Young Adult Author, “While I Was Away: From 1984 Rural Kansas to Living in Tokyo and Attending a Japanese Middle School.”
- Five College Center for East Asian Studies webinar: Wai Chim, High School Literature Author, “Freedom Swimmer: Learning About Mao’s Failed and Disastrous Economic and Political Programs Through a Novel.”
The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), funded by the Freeman Foundation, is a multi-year initiative to encourage and facilitate teaching and learning about East Asia in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. NCTA is a premier provider of professional development on East Asia. NCTA alumni frequently have subsequent Asia institute and travel opportunities. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a partner site of NCTA and conducts teacher professional development programs in both Tennessee and Mississippi.
To apply for the program, please fill out an application by Friday, June 9th, 2023 here. Spaces are limited for the program so early applications are encouraged. We have available for 20 teachers and hope to have participants from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. Applications will be considered on a “first come, first served” basis so especially interested participants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible to guarantee a space and avoid wait-listing.
For more information about the program, contact Jeffrey Melnik at [email protected] or 423-425-2118.