Summer Institute and Workshops

The HENI Center sponsors at least one intensive, graduate credit institute for K-12 teachers each year. These workshop-type programs cover a variety of standards-based Indiana, United States, and world history topics. Participating teachers learn history concepts and content, and develop and reinforce skills required for high-quality history instruction. This summer graduate institute is staffed by outstanding content experts together with history education professors.

In addition to the Summer Institute, other workshops and programs are held during the year based on an annual plan submitted by the director of the HENI Center. They are often cooperatively developed with various history-related organizations.

Teacher Awards

Annually, the History Educators Network of Indiana, in cooperation with the Indiana Council for History Education, the Indiana Association of Historians, and the Indiana Historical Society invites nominations for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Teaching of History. The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor those K-12 teachers "in the trenches" who are doing wonderful work with Indiana students.

Additionally, an Indiana History Teacher of the Year selection is facilitated by ICHE on behalf of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The Governor's award includes all areas of history instruction whereas the Gilder Lehrman Award is for teachers of American History specifically. It honors one exceptional K-12 teacher of American history from each state and U.S. territory.

The selection of the state winner is based upon several criteria, including: experience in teaching American history for at least three years; a deep career commitment to teaching American history; evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom; and close attention to documents, artifacts, historic sites, and the other primary materials of history.

Information about the current year's program may be found at: bethelpond.com/govaward.

 Colonial Village

HENI Center

The HENI Center is strategically located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The Indiana University School of Education, Indianapolis, serves as the host for the Center and generously provides infrastructure and support.

The HENI Center acts as a liaison between K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in Indiana and nationally. It strives to work in partnership with other groups and agencies, such as the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Council for the Social Studies, the Indiana Humanities Council, and the Indiana Historical Society.

The Center is independent of political and bureaucratic conflicts or jurisdictional disputes with other institutions or agencies and has the autonomy to seek funding for general operating expenses as well as special or joint projects with school corporations and other educational organizations.