ISSUED: 1 June 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Rachael Meads, assistant director of student affairs and adjunct Appalachian studies professor at Shepherd University, served as a peer reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) reviewing 1,200 pages of institute grant proposals from K-12 educators.
The NEH K-12 institutes are professional development programs that give educators from across the nation the opportunity to deepen and enrich their understanding of a variety of topics in the humanities so they can teach more effectively. Meads said NEH anticipates awarding nine grants of up to $235,000 each.
“While closely reading and ranking 1,200 pages of application materials is a big task, it was inspiring to see the amazing work that colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations across the country have collaborated on that will help them enhance teaching and learning in the humanities,” Meads said. “Being part of one of these programs in the past, I cannot emphasize enough the transformative impact this has on teachers who participate, leaving them with a wealth of new teaching tools, resources, ideas, and new networks of colleagues from across the country.”
Meads has served as a two-time institute guest faculty team member for past institutes at Shepherd that were directed by Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, director, Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities. The NEH anticipates making funding recommendations in August.
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