CSAA Conference June 15-17, 2009

The Future of the Past

St. Vincent College to Host 9th Annual Conference

LATROBE, PA - The Country School Association of America will hold its 9th Annual Conference at Saint Vincent College Monday to Wednesday, June 15 to 17. 

The conference is designed for those who enjoy preserving old schools in order to preserve memories, create or maintain museums, promote living history programs and allow children of all ages an opportunity to experience schooling as it was in previous generations. 

“It allows senior citizens an opportunity to relive their fondest school house memories while offering educators and writers a forum to share research,” explained Dr. Veronica Ent, associate professor of education, chair of the Education Department, and director of the conference. “This ninth annual conference, with the theme “The Future of the Past: Celebrating Our Country School Traditions Today," will provide members and non-members an opportunity to present and attend to exchange ideas of preserving our schooling heritage in order to build a future of citizens who respect and understand our educational history.” 

Keynote speaker for the conference will be Dr. Jonathan Zimmerman, author of forthcoming book;  Small Wonder: The Little Red Schoolhouse in History and Memory. Dr. Zimmerman is the director of the History of Education Program and professor of education and history for the Steinhardt School of 

Education at New York University. In addition to his research and publications in the history of education, Dr. Zimmerman has been recognized as a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians and has given numerous presentations in the U.S., Ghana, Rwanda, France, the UK, and Canada. Most recently, Dr. Zimmerman has received the New York University Distinguished Teaching Award. 

In his book Small Wonder: The Little Red Schoolhouse in History and Memory, Dr. Zimmerman discusses how the little red schoolhouse has disappeared in the United States, but its importance in national memory remains unshakable. This engaging book examines the history of the one-room school and how successive generations of Americans have remembered -- and just as often misremembered -- this powerful national icon. 

Four different strands have been developed for the program that focus on reconstruction, preservation and restoration; creative and innovative programs; historical research and curricula; and collaboration and funding. Prospective presenters are invited to submit proposals on these topics that have a high degree of audience interaction for 30-minute presentations, 1 ½ hour workshops or one hour roundtable discussions, or posters. Full submission guidelines are provided on the conference website,

www.stvincent.edu/csaa2009 .

 

In addition to concurrent sessions, the conference will also provide registrants with tours of local one-room schools in western Pennsylvania. Both half-day and full-day tours will be provided in which registrants may select the option best for their visit. 

Saint Vincent College is the host and co-sponsor of the 2009 conference at the Fred M. Rogers Conference Center. Accommodations will be available in college residence halls for those who choose to stay on campus. 

For more information, touring details, and to register for the CSAA 2009 conference, contact Dr. Ent at 724 805-2586, veronica.ent@stvincent.edu, online at http://www.stvincent.edu/csaa2009

For Information: Don Orlando, Director, Public Relations Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 Phone 724 805-2010, FAX 724 805-2019, pr@stvincent.edu

or www.stvincent.edu