Since 2001, Washoe County School District has been awarded five Teaching American History
grants. The Teaching American History Project (TAHP) is a discretionary grant program
funded by the U.S. Department of Education for a three year period (2011-2013). The goal
of the program is to support projects that raise student achievement by improving teachers’
knowledge, understanding. The Northern Nevada Teaching American History Project provides
professional development for secondary American history teachers that include both content
knowledge and pedagogical strategies for teaching American history.
The grant collaborates with partners in higher education (University of Nevada, Reno and
Truckee Meadows Community College) and community organizations (Nevada Humanities,
Nevada Museum of Art, Nevada Historical Society, National Automobile Museum) to provide
professional development, which offers either stipends or credits for participating teachers.
In addition, the TAHP maintains a website (www.projecttahoe.org) with detailed information
about the Project, including standards-based lesson plans created by teachers who participate in
TAHP events. These lessons are available for any teacher to download and use.
TAHP Management Team
Sue Davis: TAHP Director
Angela Orr, TAHP Curriculum Specialist
Dr. David Leitner: TAHP Evaluator
2010-2011 Professional Development Opportunities
• Summer Institute: June 13-17, 2011
o Application process in which 25 secondary teachers will be selected to
participate. Applications will be available March 15, 2011.
o The Summer Institute is facilitated by UNR History Professor, Greta deJong,
which focuses on historical content and emphasizes practical pedagogical
application. Teachers are required to create a lesson as the final project.
• History Cohorts: September 2011-May 2012
o 20 secondary teachers will be selected to participate in the year-long professional
development combing history content and historical inquiry. UNR Professor
Scott Casper will facilitate the historical content while Angela Orr provides
pedagogical application.
o Applications available May – August 2011. Each school year a new Cohort will be
formed for the one-year project.
• Vertical History Teams: March 2011-June 2013
o TAHP has formed three American history vertical teams, which includes
American history teachers from 5th grade, middle school, and high school.
Using the Professional Learning Community model, over a three-year period
Vertical History Teams will learn and implement research based strategies
for incorporating high level history curriculum, collaborate with colleagues to
determine best way to prepare students in a rigorous study of history at all grade
levels. UNR Professor Scott Casper will facilitate the historical content while
Angela Orr provides pedagogical application.
Teaching American History Project
1/2011- S. Davis
Private and public charter school participation
All teachers in non-profit private and public charter schools are invited to participate in any of
the professional development opportunities offered by the Northern Nevada Teaching American
History Project.
For more information please contact TAH Director,
Sue Davis at 861-1241 or shdavis@washoeschools.net
Angela Orr at aorr@washoeschools.net
