Ticonderoga, NY - Total immersion in the life of an 18^th century soldier is not everyone’s dream vacation, but that’s how TEAM Academy teacher Rosalie Asia will be spending a week at Fort Ticonderoga in June. Ms. Asia is the first recipient of the New Jersey Society of Colonial Wars’ scholarship for Social Studies Enrichment. Ms. Asia teaches Social Studies at the Newark charter school and accepted the award at a reception from Dr. George Hill, Governor, Society of Colonial Wars in New Jersey with Governor Kean attending in support of the scholarship. Peter L. Clarke of the Fort Ticonderoga Association and Nicholas Westbrook, Executive Director of Fort Ticonderoga also attended.

Designed to enrich teachers’ understanding and appreciation of various historic periods, the Living History Educational Foundation conducts weeklong courses throughout the summer at historic sites around New England. The intense program entitled Fleur de Lys and Tomahawks is co-sponsored by Fort Ticonderoga and focuses on the French & Indian War which raged on the Fort’s grounds 250 years ago. Two dozen teachers from around the country are expected to attend, many coming come from as far away as Montana and California to experience rustic camping, drilling and musket firing, and 18^th century dress. The group will visit many other historic sites including some in Quebec that were important to the seven-year conflict.

Rosalie Asia said “Part of the challenge of teaching history is getting them to identify with events that took place hundreds of years ago. Access to artifacts, letters, and other primary sources helps students relate in a more meaningful way to the people and events of long ago”. Fort Ticonderoga has a renowned library and collection of 18^th century artifacts that the course will spend some time examining. Ms. Asia adds “I look forward to accessing some incredible resources that I can bring back to the students through my teaching.”

The history-rich area in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York played a pivotal role in the founding of America as the French and British battled for control of the important Lake Champlain trade route. Long a place for study of America’s political and cultural past, Fort Ticonderoga has inspired generations of historians, educators and citizenry with its important stories and impressive stone buildings.  The Living History Program takes place during the Fort’s twelve day commemoration of the 250^th Anniversary of the French & Indian War which features battle reenactments, memorial services and victory celebrations

Ms. Asia says “I look forward to the Fort as a place to find inspiration for new classroom ‘experiential activities’, an important part of the social studies curriculum here at TEAM, where students reenact important historical events”.

The TEAM Academy is part of the TEAM Schools Network, public charter schools with a record of helping children to excel and outperform their peers at every grade level. Ms. Asia knows her students will enjoy and learn from her experience at Fort Ticonderoga.