Foundational Seminar: Crossroads of East Asia: Movement through Time and Place

Join us for a virtual journey that will introduce East Asia’s diverse cultures and environment while building and enhancing your tool chest of teaching resources for the classroom. Focusing on the regions that comprise present-day China, Japan, and Korea, participants in this free online seminar will engage with experts and other educators in the field to explore major trends, global issues, and historic foundations that shape East Asian society. Through hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage with content experts and with other educators, the cohort will learn about East Asia’s diverse cultures to enhance teaching resources in the classroom. A broad range of innovative teaching materials will be shared, engaging social-emotional learning (SEL), education in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), social studies, ELA, and other cross-curricular approaches to society and culture. The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), funded by the Freeman Foundation, is an initiative to foster a permanent place for the teaching and study of East Asia at the middle and secondary school levels. The objectives of the program are accomplished through a lifelong approach to professional development: Teaching about Asia seminars, curriculum development, texts and resources, continuing education programs, and study tours to East Asia.

July 13 - 16, 2026 (Monday - Thursday)

Lead Instructor: Ann Marie Davis, The Ohio State University
K-12 Lead Educator: Angie Miesle Stokes, Wayne Trace Jr/Sr High School, NCTA Alumni
Coordinator: Janet Smith, The Ohio State University
 
Free, online seminar is open to educators, administrators, and pre-service teachers in Alabama, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
 
36-hour ONLINE seminar (synchronous and asynchronous) includes (all ET):
  • Part 1: May 2026: Orientation session (7 - 9 p.m. ET, synchronous)
  • Part 2: June - July 2026: Background material, interactive, asynchronous activities, est. 15 hours
  • Part 3: July 13 - 16, 2026: Summer sessions,  (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET daily, synchronous)
  • Part 4: Sept. 2026: Follow up, synchronous
  • Benefits: $300 stipend, $230 teaching materials, 36 contact hours/3.6 CEUs
  • Graduate credit: 2.0 hours graduate credit option available (extra fee/application)

Applications received by May 1, 2026 (or when filled) will be given priority