Podcast Boot Camp
If you’ve ever wanted to teach your students how to tell stories with audio, this is the workshop for you. Spend July 15-16 at historic University of Virginia learning the basics from your favorite American history podcast. BackStory is a program of Virginia Humanities and this experience is funded in part by a grant from National Endowment for the Humanities.
To apply for the “How To Podcast” workshop, please thoroughly read the information below. Note that this opportunity is best suited for those who teach history to grades 9-12. If you don’t teach those grade levels, but would like to learn about future workshops and opportunities for K-8, sign up for the Classroom Connections newsletter.
When you’re ready to apply, complete the application at the bottom of this page.
Eligibility Information
This year, the National Endowment for the Humanities is funding BackStory’s “How To Podcast” workshop, an opportunity for high school history educators to learn how to bring audio storytelling into their classrooms. The use of podcasts in K-12 classrooms enriches the learning process and revitalizes the teaching of humanities topics. Upon completion of the two-day boot camp, participants will receive the tools necessary to bring podcasts to their students, including an instructional manual and five recorders each for classroom use.
The goal of this workshop is to provide an intimate and focused environment for ten participants to receive a hands-on experience with audio storytelling. Those selected for the boot camp will also receive a stipend of $500.
The Application Process
The application closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 29, 2019. It includes a form, a resume, two professional references and an essay.
Selection Criteria
All submitted applications move forward to the selection committee, comprised of the project director and two or more colleagues, at least one of whom will be a K-12 teacher. The committee will evaluate all complete applications to select a group of 20 applicants -10 primary and 10 alternates. The primary applicants will be offered a seat in the group first. Alternates will receive an offer only if a primary applicant declines.
We hope the workshop will draw applicants from diverse schools and backgrounds. When selections are made, first consideration is given to those who have not previously attended a workshop, seminar or institute sponsored by Virginia Humanities. When choices must be made between equally qualified candidates, preference is given to those who would enhance the diversity of the program.
Stipend, Tenure, and Conditions of Award
Each participant will receive a $500 stipend to offset the expenses of travel, including accommodations and some meals. All participants are required to make their own travel arrangements. A pre-negotiated rate for participants has been arranged with Graduate Charlottesville, a hotel located across from University of Virginia Grounds where all workshop sessions will take place. Please note that stipends may be taxable and participants are responsible for determining any state or federal taxes due.
Participants must attend all sessions and professionally engage in the workshop. During the duration, participants may not undertake teaching assignments or professional activities unrelated to their participation in the project. Those who, for any reason, do not complete the full workshop will receive a reduced stipend. At the end of the workshop all 10 participants will submit online evaluations before departure.
Application Instructions
Prior to applying, please study the project brochure and carefully consider the project’s requirements. A complete application consists of the following items:
- The Application Form
- Please complete all questions. Fill in spaces that do not apply with “N/A.”
- The form will not save your progress. Please have all materials necessary to complete the application, including the completed essay and current resume, available when you begin.
- You may download a pdf of the application to help you prepare. The entire process should take no more than 30 minutes once started.
- Resume and References
Please include your up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages). Additionally, include the name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of two professional references. Please ask these two references to email their letters directly to dianaw@virginia.edu on or before March 29, 2019. Your application will not be complete until we have received these letters.
- The Application Essay
The application essay should be no longer than four pages of double-spaced text. Please address the following:
- Your effectiveness and commitment as a teacher/educator.
- Your intellectual interests as they relate to the topic of the workshop.
- Your special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the workshop.
- Evidence that participation will have a long-term impact on you and your students.
Submission of Applications and Notification Procedure
March 29, 2019: Deadline to submit your application. Completed applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. or, if mailed, received in our offices at 145 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903, on or before close of business (5 p.m. Eastern Time) on March 29.
Send any and all questions about the application or the application process to Diana Williams, dianaw@virginia.edu.
Friday, April 5, 2019: Ten primary applicants will be notified of their selection. Ten alternate applicants will be notified of waitlist placement.
Friday, April 12, 2019: Selected applicants will have until this date to accept or decline the offer. Any available spots will be offered to alternates beginning at 5 p.m.
*Note: Once you have accepted an offer to attend, you may not accept an additional offer or withdraw in order to accept a different offer.
Friday, April 19, 2019: Last day for alternates to accept a seat. Welcome packets emailed.
Notice of Non Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Virginia does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2018), and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Virginia prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of inter-personal violence. You can read the full statement at Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during this workshop, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Application requires sign in: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE32cUO3YE4Hz2rNvNUgJyV09T1CMrZR9QSqEYw0pvPV2rpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link