Developing C.L.E.A.R. Thinking:

Application

Eligibility

The C.L.E.A.R. Thinking Project is designed for full-time 7-12th grade social studies teachers who teach in public schools. Selection will prioritize teachers who teach in high-needs districts/schools or at least primarily teach high-minority students.

Participants must be United States citizens, residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. U.S. citizens teaching abroad at U.S. chartered institutions are also eligible to participate. Foreign nationals teaching abroad are not eligible to participate.

Participants may not be delinquent in the repayment of federal debt (e.g., taxes, student loans, child support payments, and delinquent payroll taxes for household or other employees).

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Effectiveness and commitment as a teacher/educator.
• Intellectual interests as they relate to the topic of the professional development.
• Special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the program.
• Evidence that participation will have a long-term impact on applicant’s teaching.

Applicants will provide

• Demographic questions
• Two-page (max) resume
• Four essay questions:
  1. What is the purpose of teaching social studies? How should students be different as a result of your social studies course? (250 words max)
  2. Describe your current challenge(s) in teaching Civil Rights and/or constitutional issues to your students. (250 words max)
  3. Provide an example of how would currently teach Civil Rights and/or constitutional issues/cases and how you are attempting to address the challenges you stated in #2. (500 words max)
  4. How would participating in this 3-year professional development project on problem-based inquiry and civil rights/liberties improve your students’ learning? (250 words max)