Who are we, and how do our names, faces and stories of home and place affect our understanding of migration to the United States today? What are some of the risks and rewards involved in teaching about migration to young people? Our first module will take a long historical approach to understand what it means to be an “American.” We’ll examine who is invited — and who is excluded — to participate in the national project and be introduced to a selection of free tools and resources available to educators in this field.

How can we make sense of migration narratives when there are so many conflicting reports and opinions about who belongs in the United States, and who should be excluded? We’ll analyze mainstream news reporting to understand how different media outlets report on this topic. 

Our third module offers a participant-focused session that dives into U.S. histories of intolerance, while surveying national and local programs and centers facilitating, supporting and promoting the integration efforts of individuals and communities.

This module looks at Ohio’s history of population, migration and narratives of inclusion and exclusion to understand how the state has developed ideas of territoriality and belonging.  

A diaspora is a dispersion of a formerly-concentrated group of people sharing cultural similarities and homelands who have been compelled to displace and live in geographically-distant areas of the world. In module five, we examine diasporic cultural expression and the artistic practices that help create and incentivize placemaking and cultural pride. We’ll read The Distance Between Us: A Memoir by Reyna Grande and When I Get Older: The Story behind "Wavin' Flag" by K’NAAN to explore various pedagogical possibilities of memoir and music in the study of displaced peoples.  

It’s an all-too-common Columbus story: Popular restaurants offering Mexican-inspired fare veer into the unsavory territory of cultural misappropriation. We’ll go on an alternative taco tour of migrant-owned local businesses to sample heritage cuisine, interrogate tropes in the culinary marketplace and consider how food can serve as a scaffolding for cultural border crossing and discovery.     

The program offers each participating educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks and other resources. There is no cost for the teachers to participate. Stipends will be disbursed following the successful completion of the institute.

The program offers each participating educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks and other resources. There is no cost for the teachers to participate. Stipends will be disbursed following the successful completion of the institute.

• Which educators would benefit from participating in the Difficult Subjects Institute?
  Any K-12 educator would benefit from the program. Institute workshops are at the 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, as well as multicultural curriculum developers to provide instruction on complementing and supplementing State of Ohio standards pertaining to difficult subjects.
   
• How does the district nominate an individual to participate?
  District leadership may nominate educators by completing this webform and answering some brief questions.  
   
• Can individuals volunteer without the permission of their district leaders?
  Yes, individual educators may nominate themselves using this webform. However, they must include a letter of recommendation or concurrence from their school principal.
   
• How long and how often are the sessions in which our district’s educators may participate?
  The program consists of 30 hours of professional development engagement and including an orientation session (in January); three-hour Saturday seminars once a month (for five months) followed by an in-person experiential learning field trip and workshop (in June). 
   
• Are there any costs associated with participating in the institute?
  The program offers each participating educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks and other resources. There is no cost for the teachers to participate. Stipends will be disbursed following the successful completion of the institute. 
   
• What is the specific process for participating teachers from my district to earn credit for participation?
  Upon successful completion of whole program, teachers will be awarded a certificate and verification of contact hours that may be submitted for CEU consideration to the relevant district committee.

Enrollment Process

• What is the process for enrolling in the institute?
  Selection for this program is based on nomination rather than application. 
   
• Can I enroll in two tracks simultaneously during the same year?
  No. Each program track runs concurrently; therefore, participation is limited to one track per year.
   
• Can I enroll in another program track if I’ve participated in the past?
  Yes, per the discretion of the director. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).
   
• Can I participate if I am educational staff but not a teacher?
  Those who are not direct educators may participate per the discretion of the director. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).

Program Expectations

• Are there any costs associated with participating in the institute?
  The program offers each participating educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks and other resources. There is no cost for the teachers to participate. Stipends will be disbursed following the successful completion of the Institute.
   
• What is the institute’s policy on attendance?
  We understand that life happens, and conflicts may arise. Institute participants are expected to attend all of the sessions unless there are exigent circumstances. 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 Resources

• When will I expect to receive books and materials?
  Attending the program orientation is mandatory. Institute participants will receive their textbooks and other relevant resources at this event.
   
• What’s the vendor form? How and why should I complete it?
  The Ohio State University requires all institute participants to complete and submit a vendor form in order to receive a payment from the university. This form establishes participants as vendors for this purpose.
   
• If I completed a vendor form in previous years, could I use the vendor information that I have on file?
  The University has recently updated its Vendor Form protocols, and all Institute participants will need to submit new forms regardless of previous enrollment.
   
• 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.

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