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SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of Utah students are receiving an exciting approach to their history classes, due in large part to the efforts of teachers over the summer.
A program called "Driven to Teach" takes American history teachers from Utah to Colonial America. Larry H.Miller Enterprises sponsored the endeavor. Teachers and education administrators said they hope history will make a bigger impression on the students if educators can get firsthand experience.
About 100 Utah history teachers were invited to experience the re-enactments, the landmarks and revolutionary history. The trip was all-expenses paid and allowed teachers to get up close to early American history.
"The Freedom Trail is one of my favorite parts of being in Boston," Davis High history teacher Holly Hoyt said. "It's a self-guided tour through the places in Boston we've heard of."
Kayla Vernon is also a history teacher. She said the experience of being close to historical landmarks was life changing.
"The feeling you get here is definitely different than anything you can describe or get from a textbook or even a primary source," Vernon said. "It's making those connections with the feeling that's here. That's amazing."
I've seen it, I've felt it and I've seen that these were ordinary citizens who felt passionate about something and they changed everything,
–Holly Hoyt
History teacher Jason Vilos said he was grateful for the opportunity to see the places he teaches his students about.
"I don't think I could have ever had this opportunity on my own," Vernon said. "It's way outside my ability as a teacher to get here."
The teachers spent a good part of their summer in the Driven 2 Teach program, a sort of part-time field trip.
"I've seen it, I've felt it and I've seen that these were ordinary citizens who felt passionate about something and they changed everything," Hoyt said.
Gail Miller with Larry H. Miller Enterprises said she is glad for the opportunity to let teachers experience the real deal when it comes to American history.
"When they come back, they are ready to go into the classroom and teach what they've learned, and it's so exciting for them," Miller said. "I'm hoping the students pick up on that."
Hoyt said she was just glad to be part of the experience.
"I loved it and I would not have been able to go on my own, paying for it myself," Hoyt said. "I would not have gone there, so this gives me the chance of a lifetime."
