Education
Community Guide Training
Want to help educate our community? The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is holding our next Community Guides training class starting this Spring 2026. Come and participate in a no-cost, six week course on local African American history in preparation to become a Community Guide, where you’ll lead tours of the Heritage Center’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.
You can apply here.
Trailblazers Museum Studies Program
Trailblazers is a dynamic museum studies program that prepares local African American teens to give tours of our permanent and contemporary exhibitions. As a Trailblazer, students learn the history of Charlottesville’s African American community.
Through discussion, project-based research, and field trips, they acquire the skills to become community educators. Students are paid for their training and tour guide work.
Contact education@jeffschoolheritagecenter.org with any questions!
Embracing Our Narratives Teacher Institute
Join the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center for a three day workshop for K-12 educators to explore local history through the lens of African American people.
By emphasizing narratives of African American resilience, agency, and resistance, Embracing Our Narratives (EON) helps educators better understand our community and develop a more inclusive curriculum. Educators will learn from local history experts, gain access to tools and resources to use in the classroom, and engage in curriculum planning with colleagues.
The EON Institute will be held June 9-11, 2026. There will be morning and afternoon sessions, and will include presentations, walking tours, and hands-on exploration of historical resources.
Sessions will be taught by JSAAHC staff, university professors, and community educators. The Institute is free and open to local K-12 teachers. Professional development re-licensure points awarded for course completion.
