Americans have an aversion to history – to stories about the past that make us uncomfortable in the present. We are especially disinclined to engage with histories that deal directly with race and racism, starting with slavery. In this opening session, we will explore the importance of confronting the most painful aspect of America’s past – slavery, and highlight ways to use the Framework for Teaching American Slavery — produced by Learning for Justice, the education arm of the Southern Poverty Law Center — to teach American slavery effectively.

Chattel slavery was not an American invention. It was a global system of involuntary servitude that American colonists and the nation’s founders embraced. At the same time, African people were not always chattel slaves. They were a free people who developed politically-sophisticated, economically-strong and culturally-rich societies on the African continent. This session looks at approaches to teaching American slavery that treat it as a global phenomenon and center the history and humanity of African people, prior to and during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Slavery is frequently framed as America’s original sin. It wasn’t. It was America’s origin. It was the economic engine that fueled the growth of the colonies and the birth of the new nation. This session examines the evolution of slavery during the colonial era and tackles approaches to teaching the intersection of slavery and the U.S. Constitution.

Resistance to slavery took many forms, from subtle acts of sabotage and subterfuge to outright rebellion. Teaching Black resistance poses unique challenges, but it is also essential to illuminating Black humanity. Students often ask, “If slavery was so terrible, why didn’t the enslaved resist?” The answer, of course, is that they did, constantly. This session will examine the persistence of Black resistance to the institution of slavery, focusing specifically on freedom seekers — those enslaved persons who risked their lives by attempting to escape bondage.

In a survey of high school students conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Center a few years ago, a majority of respondents failed to identify slavery as the primary cause of the Civil War. This is a legacy of Lost Cause indoctrination. This session takes an honest look at the coming of the Civil War and the role that African Americans played in their own liberation. It will also consider ways to deconstruct the Lost Cause narrative and its white supremacist legacy.

Reconstruction is usually taught as a failed experiment in multiracial democracy. It wasn’t. Reconstruction didn’t fail. Reconstruction was defeated by white southerners – former Confederates and former enslavers – who were determined to reassert control over Black labor. This session explores Reconstruction from the bottom up, shining a spotlight on one of the first communities of freed men and women – Mitchelville on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and the ways African Americans worked to give meaning to emancipation. This session will also contextualize the myriad obstacles freed men and women faced along the way, from racial terror to disenfranchisement.

If you’re a district leader or an educator in any Central Ohio district, please complete the nomination/application webform. 

There is no cost for educators to participate. The institute offers each educator a $500 stipend and provides textbooks and other resources. Stipends will be disbursed following successful completion of the institute. Educators are also eligible for Continuing Education Units.

Which educators would benefit from participating in the DSI?
Any K-12 educator would benefit from participation. Institute seminars and workshops are at heart of the program curriculum and are led by scholars from The Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences who have expertise in history, literature, art, music and performance. Recognizing the value of practice, the institute also brings in teaching experts (to share pedagogical techniques) and multicultural curriculum developers (to provide instruction on complementing and supplementing State of Ohio standards pertaining to difficult subjects).

How much does the institute cost?
There is no cost to participate. The institute offers each educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks, parking and field trip food and travel. Stipends are disbursed following successful completion of the institute.

How does the district nominate an educator to participate?
District leadership may nominate educators by completing this webform and answering some brief questions. 

Can educators volunteer without the permission of their district leaders?
Yes, educators may nominate themselves using this webform. However, unnominated educators must include a letter of recommendation or concurrence from their district DEI coordinator or school principal. 

How long and how often are the institute sessions?
Programming consists of 30 hours of engagement. It includes an orientation session (January); five three-hour Saturday seminars (monthly); and an in-person experiential-learning field trip and workshop (June).

How do educators earn credit for participation?
Upon successful completion of whole institute, educators are awarded a certificate and verification of contact hours that may be submitted for CEU consideration to the relevant district committee.

Enrollment

• What is the enrollment process?
  Educators interested in participating should complete this webform. 
   
• Can I enroll in two tracks simultaneously?
  No. Each track runs concurrently; therefore, participation is limited to one track per year.
   
• Can I enroll in a second track if I’ve participated in a previous year?
  Yes, per the discretion of DSI leadership. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).
   
• Can I participate if I am educational staff but not a teacher?
  Yes, per the discretion of DSI leadership. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).

Institute Cost + Stipends

• How much does the institute cost?
  There is no cost to participate. The institute offers each educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks, parking and field trip food and travel. Stipends are disbursed following successful completion of the institute.
   
• How long will it take for me to receive my stipend at the completion of the program?
  Electronic direct deposits may take up to 60 days. Regular checks may take up to 90 days.
   
• What is the vendor form? How and why should I complete it?
  The Ohio State University requires all institute participants to submit a completed vendor form in order to receive a payment. This form establishes participants as vendors in the university system.
   
•  If I completed a vendor form in previous years, can I use the vendor information that I have on file?
  No. Ohio State recently updated its vendor form protocols. As such, all participants must submit new vendor forms, regardless of previous enrollment.

Program Expectations

• What is the institute’s policy on attendance?
  DSI participants are expected to attend all of the sessions unless there are exigent circumstances. We understand that life happens and conflicts may arise. However, we encourage participants to consider applying for the following year, if they are unable to fulfill this commitment. Please note that if participants are unable to attend the final field trip, the final stipend amount will be prorated down to $250.
   
• What is the format of the sessions?
  Sessions may be virtual or hybrid depending on the format indicated by the instructor.

Program Materials

• When will I receive DSI books and materials? 
  Participants will receive their textbooks and other relevant resources at the mandatory orientation.

Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).