Bullis Educators Awarded NEH Grants for Professional Development

Two Bullis educators, Elizabeth Jacobi and Leigh Hadaway, were awarded competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). These grants allowed them to participate in the high-caliber Summer 2024 Landmark Institute, known for providing enriching, in-depth workshops hosted by esteemed institutions and universities nationwide.

Elizabeth (Liz) Jacobi, a 4th grade teacher in the Lower School, embarked on her journey to St. Louis, Missouri, this July to take part in the workshop titled “St. Louis Blues: Music, Migration, and the Movement”. This marked Jacobi’s third participation in an NEH Landmark Institute, with her previous engagements in 2022 and 2023 exploring community building in California and the nuances of migration, work, and settlement respectively. Her latest adventure in St. Louis was an in-depth exploration of the intertwining histories of the city’s iconic blues music, the Great Migration, and the Civil Rights Movement. Through a vibrant tapestry of readings, lectures, and museum visits, including insights from Civil Rights Activist Percy Green, Jacobi deepened her understanding of historical movements shaped by racial and economic injustices. “These experiences,” Jacobi noted, “have enriched my lessons, compelling me to focus on whose stories are told and the importance of amplifying those often left unheard.”

Leigh Hadaway, an Upper School Social Studies teacher, experienced a similarly enlightening journey through her participation in a Landmark Institute held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, titled “The Homestead Steel Strike and the Growth of America as an Industrial Power”. Hadaway’s summer was filled with thought-provoking lectures and field trips, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal moments in America’s industrial history. Visiting landmarks like the Carrie Furnace, The Bost Building, the Henry Clay Frick house, and the Vanka Murals at St. Nicholas Church, Hadaway engaged in critical discussions on the dynamics of labor and capital, the immigrant experience, and the significance of geography in history. Eager to bring her newfound knowledge into the classroom, Hadaway highlighted, “These experiences gave me a deeper perspective that I am thrilled to share with my students.”

Bullis’s commitment to professional development and academic excellence is vividly illustrated through the achievements of Jacobi and Hadaway. Their involvement in the NEH Landmark Institutes not only enhances their personal and professional growth but also enriches the educational experience for their students. As they integrate their experiences and insights into their teaching, Jacobi and Hadaway continue to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of history in the young minds at Bullis.