FAQ

Who is eligible to apply to the Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars?

Full-time K–12 teachers, as well as National Park Service (NPS) interpreters and museum educators are eligible. Community college faculty are eligible to attend high school–level seminars.

Recent graduates of education and history programs at the undergraduate or graduate level who plan to pursue careers in K–12 history education are eligible to apply for seminars as Early Career Fellows upon completion of an education or history degree in either Fall 2012 or Spring 2013. 

Priority consideration will be given to teachers from Gilder Lehrman Affiliate Schools. Up to half of all participant spots in each seminar are reserved for Affiliate School teachers. In order to receive priority consideration your school must be an Affiliate School by November 30, 2012. Click here for information about becoming an Affiliate School.

Seminars are open to K–12 independent school teachers on a shared-funding basis. For details click here.

We are unable to include part-time educators, home-school teachers, substitute teachers, or historical reenactors.

Some seminars are for specific grade levels. Please read descriptions carefully to make sure you are eligible for the seminars you select.

Can more than one teacher apply from a given school or institution?

Yes, multiple teachers from the same school may attend Gilder Lehrman seminars as long as they attend different seminars. One of the goals of our seminars is to encourage the widespread dissemination of information through teachers attending different seminars. We encourage you and your colleagues to apply to different programs and share information and experiences upon your return home.   

Are there limits on the number of times an individual can participate in the Teacher Seminar program?

Alumni are not eligible to attend a program two summers in a row. While recent participants are eligible to apply, priority consideration is given to applicants who have not previously attended a Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Yes, you may make up to four seminar selections on your application, but successful applicants will only be accepted to attend one program.

What expenses am I responsible for?

Applicants will be charged a $25 non-refundable registration fee upon officially accepting their place in a Teacher Seminar.

What expenses does the Gilder Lehrman Institute pay for?

The Gilder Lehrman Institute provides reading materials and room and board for the week. Travel expenses up to $400 will be reimbursed upon completion of the seminar. Seminar participants must submit a reimbursement form accompanied by receipts for expenses to receive reimbursement. For participants traveling internationally or from Alaska or Hawaii, a travel stipend of $500 will be provided in lieu of reimbursement. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the seminar. Participants should be prepared to pay for all personal expenses.

Applicants to seminars should note that we are unable to provide supplemental funding in cases where the travel allowance is insufficient to cover all travel expenses.

For more details on our reimbursement policy, please click here.

Should I include a letter of recommendation or other materials with my application?

Due to the high volume of applications our committee is unable to review additional materials. All selections are based solely on the online form.  

How are applicants selected?

A selection committee consisting of educators and administrators reads and evaluates all applications.

The selection committee looks for applicants who demonstrate a strong interest in American history, a commitment to growth and progress in the profession, and an ability to translate new knowledge and new materials into effective classroom teaching.

When will I be notified whether or not I have been selected?

On March 15, 2013, seminar notifications will be available by logging in to your account at www.gilderlehrman.org/seminar-status. You will not receive an email notification. Successful applicants will be directed to additional information and registration instructions at that time through their online accounts.

The only email you will receive from Gilder Lehrman will be a confirmation email when your application is complete. No information concerning the status of an application will be available prior to the official notification date. Please wait to review your status through your online account before contacting Gilder Lehrman.

What are my responsibilities as a participant?

Seminar participants are required to attend the full schedule of events. Participants are also required to complete readings sent to them prior to attending the seminar. Seminar participants are required to engage fully in projects. Participants who do not complete the full seminar will not receive the travel reimbursement or, for those traveling internationally or from Alaska or Hawaii, the travel stipend. At the end of the seminar, participants are required to submit evaluations in which they review their work during the seminar and assess the seminar’s value to their personal and professional development.

Where are participants housed?

Participants are usually housed in campus dormitories. Please read the summaries of each individual seminar for information on housing.

Participants housed in dormitories will usually have their own bedrooms but may share common living spaces and/or bathrooms. Please note, you may want to bring shower shoes, an extra towel, and a fan.

Housing is only provided for the duration of the seminar. We realize some participants will have to arrive a day early or stay a day late. If this is the case, participants are responsible for arranging and paying for housing on those days.

Can family and friends participate?

We are sorry, but we are unable to accommodate family and friends.

Can I commute to the Teacher Seminar?

Yes, residence is not required. The Institute understands that circumstances may make commuting preferable and applicants applying on a day basis are at no disadvantage during the selection process.

Can I defer my acceptance to next year?

We cannot defer your position. We encourage you to apply again, but we cannot guarantee your acceptance at a later time.

Whom should I contact for more details?

If you have a question that is not answered in this list of FAQs, please contact the Teacher Seminar office at seminars@gilderlehrman.org.