The Promise of America

Ford’s Theatre Regional Professional Development at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri

June 30–July 2, 2025

Dive into the complexities of wartime leadership through the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and Harry S. Truman in this three-day transformative professional development intensive. Educators from Ford’s Theatre and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum will explore how these two iconic leaders navigated unprecedented national crises and left lasting legacies.

Through analysis of their speeches, relationships with their cabinets, and decision-making under pressure, participants will discover how Lincoln and Truman grew into their roles as wartime presidents. While Lincoln, a powerful orator, shifted his focus from preserving the Union to the moral imperative of emancipation, Truman—a more concise, military-minded communicator—focused on preventing the mistakes of WWI as he wrapped up WWII and led the nation into the Korean War.

This three-day intensive offers educators the opportunity to engage with primary sources, scholarly insights, public speaking and theatre arts-integrated strategies that will enrich classroom discourse and teaching on presidential leadership, civil rights, and civics education.

Participants will:

Discover historical content to share with students.

• Gain insights into presidential leadership, decision-making under pressure, and the enduring power of rhetoric in communication during challenging times.
• Learn how each president sought to advance the nation toward equality, Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13^th Amendment and Truman with Executive Order 9981.
• Explore the written documents and historical speeches each president delivered to influence the people and the times they lived in.

Learn new strategies and resources you can apply in the classroom.

• Explore a variety of tools and resources that can help you harness the power of public speaking in the classroom.
• Strengthen skills to teach students text analysis and speech performance.
• Use oratory and theatre arts-integrated practices to build creative connections to social studies, history and English language arts curriculum.
• Learn firsthand from classroom educators and teaching artists who apply oratory-based teaching methods in their schools.
• Empower student voice and confidence in public speaking.

Step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors to tackle the greatest challenges they faced with the Truman Library’s, White House Decision Center.

The WHDC challenges your ability to quickly synthesize complex information, work cooperatively in teams, resolve conflicts creatively, formulate recommendations, make and defend critical decisions, negotiate win-win solutions and lead like a head of state.

June 30-July 2, 2025

• Cost: Free. 
• Participants must pay a $100 refundable deposit to secure their place in the intensive. Deposits are refunded upon successful completion of the program.
• The intensive will accommodate up to 30 teachers of grades 5 through 12.
• Successful completion of the program certifies 18 hours of professional development.

What to Expect

• All sessions will take place at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, 500 W US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050
• This is a commuter event. Participants are responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the intensive.

• Lunch is provided on all three days. Participants are responsible for all other meals.
• Accessibility: If you have questions or concerns about mobility and accessibility please email us.

Applications open December 04, 2024. Applicants for Summer 2025 will be notified of their status no later than March 17, 2025.