University of Central Missouri Joins Veterans Voices Professional Development for K-12 Educators

By Alex Greenwood, June 24, 2024

Veteran Voices from the Heartland MA student Joey Lake and undergraduate student Truman Harrow of UCM attend the session at the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri.

 

Faculty and students from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) joined partners to participate in professional development sessions for K-12 educators at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, and the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri, on June 17-18, 2024.

 

This opportunity was made possible by funding from the Veterans Legacy Memorial Grant Program.

 

On June 17, nineteen educators who teach grades 7-12 in the areas surrounding the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery attended a professional development seminar on uncovering and documenting the life stories of World War II era veterans interred at the cemetery. The following day, the teachers continued their research using the extensive resources available at the Midwest Genealogy Center.

 

During the first day, participants toured the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery and learned research techniques to uncover the personal histories of these veterans. They also explored how to teach their students these research skills and how to upload veteran biographies to the Veterans Legacy Memorial platform.

 

On the second day, the teachers utilized the Midwest Genealogy Center's resources to deepen their research and provided feedback on a draft handbook developed by the UCM team. This handbook is designed specifically for 7-12 grade teachers and aligns with state standards.

 

The Veterans Legacy Memorial grant, received in August 2023 by UCM and its partners, funded this professional development event as part of the Veterans Voices from the Heartland grant.

 

UCM faculty members who presented at the event included Lauren Hays, associate professor of education technology; Sara Sundberg, professor emerita of history; and Jon Taylor, professor of history. Tina Ellsworth, assistant professor of education at Northwest Missouri State University, served as an outside consultant for the grant. UCM History graduate student Joey Lake and undergraduate student Truman Harrow, who conducted preliminary research about the World War II veterans interred in Higginsville for the sessions, also participated. UCM’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity provided support and oversight for the project.

 

Other partners included Katie Kline, director of the Greater Kansas City Writing Project, and Katie Smith and Kim Alberg from the Midwest Genealogy Center.

 

For more information, please contact Dr. Jon Taylor at jtaylor01@ucmo.edu.