Since 1989, the Common Ground Teachers Institute has been a collaboration of teachers throughout the greater Houston area.  In two-week workshops held each summer, college professors lead seminars for English teachers who want to learn more about modern classics by African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and Native American authors by pairing them with traditional literary classics.  In doing so, seminars address topics like immigration, adolescent rebellion, race and gender relations, and family conflicts.  Common Ground helps increase the diversity of the high school English curriculum and gives teachers the chance to discuss teaching strategies, a range of student needs, and state and district expectations with their professional peers in an informal setting.  Since its inception, over 800 teachers have participated in the Common Ground seminars and returned to their classrooms enlivened and rejuvenated for their chosen profession, and have passed that enthusiasm on to many more colleagues and students.  Most school districts in the greater Houston area grant inservice hours to participating teachers.  The Institute is generously supported by the John P. McGovern Foundation; it is offered at no cost to teachers, and all books are supplied. 

For more information, email us at commonground@uh.edu, or contact Bill Monroe in The Honors College at 713-743-9007.