The Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s An American Story Teacher Training Program would like to invite all interested social studies teachers to a teacher training workshop on October 23, 2004. All educators interested in hands-on classroom application and technology integration of the Japanese American World War II veteran experience are encouraged to attend. Seating is limited to 20 people on a first-come first-serve basis.

Facilitated by former Los Angeles Unified School District educators Esther Taira and Kathy Gill, the workshop will debut “A Tradition of Honor” Teacher’s Guide, based upon the Educational Foundation’s compelling documentary on the Japanese American WWII veterans. Complete with 12 ready-made lesson plans, “A Tradition of Honor” Teacher’s Guide helps to engage students to think critically about civic responsibility, the importance of tolerance during times of trial, and the necessity to protect civil rights through the example of the Japanese American WWII veterans.

In addition, the workshop invites previous workshop participants to share and critique their experience of integrating the Japanese American WWII veteran story into the classroom. This forum will give first time participants the chance to learn the best methods for teaching this aspect of U.S. history, especially the civil liberties issues raised by the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast.

To enhance teachers’ and students’ study of the WWII Japanese American veteran story, the Educational Foundation’s archive of hundreds of oral histories are available for public viewing through the Educational Foundation’s Resource Center in Torrance, Calif. The Resource Center houses an array of books, articles and photos on the WWII Japanese American veterans and its knowledgeable staff can assist with research and other inquiries, including locating veteran speakers for the classroom.

Additionally, the Educational Foundation’s Web site, www.GoForBroke.org, showcases 120 keyword searchable oral history interviews from the archive and offers historical information, glossaries, timelines, interactive maps, lesson plans and activities for teachers and students. Facilitators will assist participants with hands-on exploration of these resources during the workshop and will demonstrate how it can aid classroom instruction.

For more information on the workshop, please contact Sandi Kageyama at (310) 222-5713 or email sandi@goforbroke.org. Seating is limited to 20 people on a first-come first-serve basis. For those interested in attending the workshop, go to http://www.goforbroke.org/learning/learning_teachers_special_workshops.asp, download the PDF registration form and return it to the Educational Foundation by October 8.