New Brunswick, NJ — The New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission (NJIHC) will host a Virtual Professional Development Day on May 9, 2026, offering a 90-minute webinar designed to introduce educators to its comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for grades 8–12.

Established by the State of New Jersey, the NJIHC is committed to confronting longstanding stereotypes and historical discrimination directed toward Italians and Italian Americans while promoting accurate, scholarly understanding of their cultural, intellectual, and civic contributions. This professional development program reflects the Commission’s mission to provide educators with meaningful, historically grounded resources for classroom instruction.

The webinar will provide participants with a structured introduction to NJIHC curriculum materials, demonstrating how lessons integrate classical history, American political thought, immigration history, and the achievements of Italian and Italian American women. Educators will gain practical guidance on lesson objectives, classroom implementation, and student-centered project design.

Program Highlights Include:

• Exploration of the Roman foundations of republican government and their influence on the American Founding
• Examination of the intellectual contributions of Italian political thinkers to Western constitutional development
• Lessons highlighting the achievements of Italian and Italian American women across religion, education, science, and public life
• Instructional strategies for inquiry-based learning and student research projects
• Curriculum resources that challenge stereotypes while presenting rigorous historical scholarship

The program will be led by Kevin T. Brady, Ph.D., who will guide participants through two core sections:

Section I: The Roman Legacy and the American Founding (45 minutes)
This segment explores the enduring influence of Roman political thought on American democracy, including lessons on Cato, Cicero, John Adams, and the structural parallels between Roman and American republican systems. It also examines the intellectual role of women, including Abigail Adams, within the broader context of classical education.

Section II: Italian and Italian American Women Who Changed the World (45 minutes)
This section highlights influential figures such as Mother Cabrini, Maria Montessori, Giorgia Meloni, Samantha Cristoforetti, and Josephine Margaret Bakhita, with a focus on both historical context and practical classroom implementation.

Educators will leave the session equipped with ready-to-use materials and strategies aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards, enabling them to bring inclusive, content-rich instruction into their classrooms.

Event Details:
Date: May 9, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Format: Virtual Webinar
Duration: 90 minutes
Audience: Grades 8–12 Educators
This professional development opportunity underscores the NJIHC’s continued commitment to advancing education through historically accurate, inclusive, and engaging curriculum resources.

REGISTER HERE: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VMHSOhI3QbOk0uxn9Tx6Gw