Katharina Matro, a high school history teacher specializing in U.S. History and AP World History, and Megan Porter, who teaches American Studies and Sociology, delve into the AHA 2025 K-16 Content Cohort. They discuss the importance of resilience in history education and how structured teaching approaches can foster meaningful dialogue amidst today's challenges. The conversation highlights collaborative workshops that integrate AI and emphasizes networking among educators for professional growth, ultimately enriching the teaching experience.
The AHA 2025 initiative highlights the importance of connecting high school teachers with researchers to enhance history education practices.
Discussions at the conference emphasized the challenges of teaching history in a politically charged environment while prioritizing student emotional well-being.
Deep dives
Successful AHA Annual Meeting Highlights
The recent AHA annual meeting in New York City attracted approximately 4,000 attendees and featured over 550 sessions, marking it as one of the most successful in recent years. Key activities included the inaugural Sinclair Workshop on Historical Podcasting, celebrating the launch of the Sinclair Prize for Historical Podcasts, awarded to Andrew Falk for 'Past is Prologue.' Additionally, the gathering emphasized new programming focused on history teachers, particularly promoting content that enhances history pedagogy and teaching strategies. This interest in teacher involvement showcases the AHA's commitment to addressing the needs and contributions of high school educators within the historical community.
Empowering History Teachers Through Cohorts
A notable highlight from the meeting was the introduction of the K-16 content cohort, designed to connect high school teachers with researchers and enhance their conference experience. This cohort aimed to address common challenges teachers face in the classroom while promoting a supportive environment for sharing best practices and insights. Participants emphasized the value of direct engagement with prominent scholars and the importance of accessible scholarship that can be readily applied in the teaching context. The cohort provided an opportunity for teachers not only to network with peers but also to engage in meaningful discussions about resilience in history education.
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
The conference also featured discussions about the challenges of teaching history in today's political climate, encouraging teachers to balance curriculum content with student emotional well-being. Teachers shared their experiences regarding the pressures faced in the classroom and explored how to maintain engagement with students while navigating complex historical narratives. The sessions allowed for vital dialogue between high school educators and college professors, focusing on strategies for adapting academic research into practical teaching methods. By facilitating these conversations, the AHA enhances the professional development of teachers and fosters a collaborative learning environment that benefits both educators and students.
In this episode, we revisit AHA 2025 with a focus on history teachers. Daniel sits with Katharina Matro and Megan Porter—both high school history teachers—to talk about AHA sessions geared toward history teaching as well as the AHA 2025 K–16 Content Cohort, which this year focused on the theme of “Resilience in the History Classroom.”
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