Middle school teachers offered “Coins in the Classroom” course in Florida
Expense-paid opportunity offered to first 25 qualified applicants
The innovative new course for middle school teachers–“Coins in the Classroom”–introduced this year by American Numismatic Association (ANA) will be offered over the year-end holidays in sunny Clearwater Beach, Florida.
“Specifically designed to help middle school teachers augment their curriculum in social studies, mathematics and other related disciplines, this course was an amazing success at ANA’s Summer Seminar in July,” says Gail Baker, ANA director of education. “The response was so strong, that the ANA is offering the expense-paid three-day course at the end of the year.
“No prior experience with coin collecting is necessary,” Baker adds. “The course demonstrates how the study of coins provides a special and easy link to various subjects. By examining why coins are made and how they are used, students gain insight into how societies exist and function.”
A teacher who took the course last summer said, “It was the best continuing education course he had ever attended.” Another teacher contacted the ANA to see about offering the program to his colleagues district-wide. A third teacher is using “Coins in the Classroom” for this year’s theme for his school’s newspaper.
Middle school teachers taking the course will be involved in interactive discussions and workshops directed toward understanding how coins from ancient to modern civilizations in Europe, Asia and the United States can be used in several curriculum areas. They will have the opportunity to interact with teachers from throughout the United States as part of the ANA School of Numismatics.
Taught by Dr. Lane J. Brunner, a numismatist and professor at The University of Texas, the course is limited to 25 middle school teachers. Acceptance in the program includes tuition, four nights (December 29-31) at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, daily buffet breakfast, transportation reimbursement up to $300, a welcome reception and a New Year’s Eve gala.
The ANA will work with participants to secure continuing education credits. Optional activities and excursions are available for spouses and children.
“All of the teachers who took the course last summer said they will use what they learned in their classroom and hope to attend Seminar again to learn more about numismatics.’ Baker says. “The teachers have asked ANA to establish a list serve so they can stay connected and share curriculum ideas–an idea we have embraced and their list serve should be operational later in September.”
Chartered by Congress, the American Numismatic Association is the world’s largest, nonprofit educational organization that promotes the study and collection of coins, paper money, tokens and medals for research, interpretation and preservation of history and culture from ancient times to the present. The ANA has more than 30,000 members, and, through its publications, library and museum, makes available a wide range of educational exhibits, programs, services and seminars to its members and the general public.
The ANA will offer its “Coins in the Classroom” course again at the 2004 Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 20 courses and seven mini-seminars are offered during each of the two one-week sessions. Classes are held at the ANA and on the campus of Colorado College. Financial aid is available.
For more information and an application for “Coins in the Classroom” in Florida, contact Gail Baker, ANA Director of Education, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903; phone 719-632-2646 ext. 153; e-mail education@money.org; or visit the ANA web site at www.money.org.
Originally Release Date: September 15, 2003
ANA Contact: Phone: 719-482-9872
Email: pr@money.org