Though the program is normally closed to Houston-area teachers, the Common Ground holds lunchtime readings by local poets and writers that is open to the entire UH community. | Courtesy of Mallory Chesser
Each summer, a handful of Houston’s English teachers become the students for a series of seminars at Honors College.
On June 28, teachers returned to college for the two-week Common Ground program, an event that has been held every year for more than two decades and aims to further expand their knowledge of the field.
“Common Ground is unique in the professional development world. Because it is sponsored by a university, we are able to offer content-based seminars that go beyond the typical pedagogical model,” honors events coordinator Mallory Chesser said.
“Whereas most teacher development seminars focus on how to teach, Common Ground is concerned with deepening teachers’ subject knowledge and introducing them to new books and ideas. In other words, the University faculty brings the subject knowledge, and the teachers bring their knowledge of how to teach students and what works in the classroom.”
Funded by a grant from the John P. McGovern Foundation, Common Ground is free for teachers in attendance, including parking and books.
Through four subject matters, which are chosen by faculty, the program offers teachers an opportunity to connect with fellow English educators in the area while engaging in academic and general discussions related to their readings.
“These seminars make so much more sense than most of the IB and AP week-long summer conferences I have attended,” said a Bellaire High School teacher Camille Quaite.
“This is what a true professional sharing should be. I tell all of my peers the invaluable lessons learned at Common Ground and encourage others each year to come join me in what I have always believed book study should be.”
Typically, the program limits each section to 12 participants to ensure better discussion within the group. According to Chesser, there may be between 40 and 50 teachers representing schools and districts all across the greater Houston area.
Attendees can earn up to 30 credit hours toward getting or maintaining a professional development certification from the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented.
“What I bring to my classroom from these Common Ground seminars includes the concept of a common ground we all share, which we find in the literature we study,” said Marte Parham, an upper level English teacher at Jersey Village High School.
“I share with students the power of round table inclusion, not only to check for understanding, but to provide safe space for conversation and defense of varying interpretations. Students hone those skills of defending argument through textual and life evidence, which are necessary in other situations students will experience.”
news@thedailycougar.com