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Teacher Professional Development
Discover new teaching practices and broaden your knowledge through MNHS teacher professional development. Educator workshops are offered by the History Day and Teacher Education teams.
Teacher Education Workshops
The Power of Names and Ojibwe Storytelling: The Naming of Aki
Cost: Free
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Zoom
Audience: Teachers using the Northern Lights curriculum
Why do we give names to people, places, and things? Join us to learn from author Thomas Peacock and illustrator Allison Horner about their new picture book The Naming of Aki. “This retelling of a traditional Ojibwe story celebrates what First Human and First Wolf see, taste, hear, smell, and touch as they wander Aki, the Earth, to be the namers of things.”
The author and illustrator will discuss the development of the book and the connection of the story to their own culture and heritage. Engage with activities modeling reciprocity, importance of names, and cross-cultural connections in your classroom.
Your registration includes:
✔ 2 Hour CEU (meets American Indian History and Culture relicensure) ✔A copy of The Naming of Aki
Contact Meghan Davisson with program questions.
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History Day Teacher Workshops
History Day Theme Exploration and Curriculum Collaboration
Cost: $70
Location: Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN)
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Be prepared to not only listen to the History Day staff talk about the theme, "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History," but to also share your own ideas through collaborative activities in the morning. In the afternoon, we will shift gears to curriculum planning. Open discussion time will give you the opportunity to collaborate with other attendees. Bring your calendars, rubrics, and other History Day lessons. As an added bonus - for each workshop seat paid for, bring a colleague for free! Discount taken automatically at checkout with purchase of two tickets minimum.
Your in-person registration includes:
✔ Light breakfast ✔ Lunch ✔ History Day Materials ✔ CEUs ✔ Parking
Contact Cathy Richter with questions.
History Day Webinars
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Date: Several, see below
Join us for a series of brief webinars on different aspects of teaching History Day in your classroom. These sessions will include a basic overview, time for questions, and the option to view the recording afterwards. Grab a snack and join us live or view the recording on your own or with your students.
November 6, 4 - 4:45 pm: Introducing Podcasts, a pilot category in Minnesota
November 18, 4 - 4:30 pm: How to teach students to conduct quality online research
December 2, 4 - 4:30 pm: How to make an Annotated Bibliography stand out to judges
January 8, 4 - 4:30 pm: Getting ready for judge interviews at a History Day contest
Your registration includes:
✔ History Day Materials ✔ CEUs ✔ Link to Recording
Contact Cathy Richter with questions.
Cancellation policy
- Registrants canceling 24 hours before the workshop are eligible for a refund or credit. (This includes weather related cancellations.)
- Registrants unable to attend a workshop may send someone in their place; substitutions will be made at the registration desk the day of the event.
- No refunds or credits will be granted for nonattendance.