When Russellville Elementary School 5^th grade teacher Carol Fretwell was invited to participate as a master teacher through the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I’m very fortunate to have been asked to do this,” Fretwell said. “I’m excited.”

It was summer 2016 that RES Principal Kristie Ezzell and assistant principal Paula Young presented the possibility to Fretwell, who teaches science. She has spent significant time in Montgomery preparing for her contribution as a “master teacher,” leading summer workshops for teachers over the next three years.

Over the next three summers, Fretwell and her 11 other mast teachers will lead Bicentennial Professional Development Institutes for 3^rd-5^th grade teachers from across the state. Designed to support the teaching of social studies and civics, the institutes will focus on teaching teachers to draw on their local history and to integrate primary sources in their classrooms.

“I have always loved history, and even though I don’t teach Alabama history any longer, I am still very interested in that,” said Fretwell, who was also drawn to the opportunity because she enjoys lesson planning and leading workshops.

Fretwell will partner with Alabama Folklife specialist and musicologist Joyce Cauthen to lead her workshop, titled “Our Music tells a Story.” The institute will be held June 19-22 in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

“I’ve always loved music. Being right here in the Muscle Shoals area, right next door, song writers and musicians are very prevalent in our area,” Fretwell pointed out. “That’s how people tell stories about their lives – through music.”

Fretwell said schoolchildren need to see that value in music – and also need to develop a pride in their state.

“We don’t do near as good a job promoting our state as we should. We have a lot of things in our own back yard that people all over the world might know about but that our own people don’t visit,” Fretwell said. “Our children need to know the history and significance and importance and be proud of who they are and where they are from.”

Although her summer workshop is still two months away, she is eagerly planning and preparing. She said she hopes teachers from Franklin County and across Northwest Alabama will take advantage of the opportunity, which will provide valuable education as well as required credits and a stipend for teachers.

Teachers participating will get the chance to tour AMHOF and the Handy Home, as well as hear from guest speakers in the field. Lunch will be provided each day on site. Class size is capped at 30 participants.

Fretwell, for her part, said the honor of participating as a master teacher is something she is taking very seriously, working to develop “impeccable lesson plans … to do the best I can to inspire other teachers,” aiming to “meet their needs and encourage them the best I can.”

Bicentennial master teachers and the Bicentennial Professional Development Institutes have been created as part of a statewide program spanning the three years of Alabama’s bicentennial commemoration, 2017-2019.

Teachers can find out how to apply by visiting the bicentennial website at www.alabama200.org.