As the phrase goes, “Ask and you shall receive it,” and area social studies educators sure did receive. Harris County Department of Education Teaching and Learning Center Curriculum Director for Social Studies Kelly Tumy was asked by her social studies leadership team about bringing in area museums, so they could obtain information to use in their curriculum.

The social studies leadership team is a free support program offered by HCDE’s TLC division for area social studies teachers. Topics of interest are provided throughout the year.

“They don’t have a lot of resources and money, so this would give them the chance to network and help plan curriculum at their districts,” Tumy said.

She was approached about this idea last May and was able to bring 15 libraries and museums to about 20 members of the leadership team.

New Caney Independent School District Secondary Social Studies Instruction Specialist Leslie Sproat enjoyed being able to talk to many museums and libraries in one location.

“It was a great way for us who have limited resources and money to do research in one place,” she said. “It also provided networking with others within our subject area from other districts.”

Sproat enjoyed visiting with representatives from the Texas Foundation for the Arts and San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site because they are out of her area and she would not have been able to visit with them if it had not been for HCDE.

Eleanor Stoddart, educator/interpreter with San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, visited with districts who are miles away from the site.

“I have gotten a lot of interest from teachers today because they said our information fits into their curriculum,” Stoddart said.

Tumy is already working for a second event for February 2020 and has secured the three presidential libraries in Texas. For more information, email Kelly Tumy at ktumy@hcde-texas.org.