Julie Wooten of Brownsboro recently joined outstanding teachers from across the state at "The U.S. Constitution and American History," an institute sponsored by Humanities Texas and The University of Texas at San Antonio.

"I love all the primary sources I received. My students are going to enjoy seeing and learning about original documents of history," said Wooten, who teaches world and U.S. history and Spanish at Brownsboro High School.

"The U.S. Constitution and American History" brought 40 teachers to The University of Texas at San Antonio for four days of seminars, lectures and workshops. A companion institute was held at the LBJ Library and Museum in Austin.

"Humanities Texas was delighted to co-sponsor `The U.S. Constitution and American History,'" said Executive Director Michael L. Gillette. "Giving a talented teacher like Julie Wooten the opportunity to interact with her peers and leading scholars will enable her to engage students with exciting new perspectives on constitutional issues in our nation's history."

The San Antonio institute faculty included members of UTSA's history department, as well as distinguished scholars from other universities, including Johns Hopkins political scientist Joseph Cooper; Lawrence Sager, dean of The University of Texas School of Law and bestselling historian H.W. Brands.

Christine Blackerby, educational specialist from the National Archives, also served on the institute faculty and provided participants with facsimiles of historic documents that support the teaching of U.S. history and government.

"The U.S. Constitution and American History" institutes were made possible with a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and additional support from the Houston Endowment.

The Texas Legislature recently approved a biennial appropriation of $2 million for Humanities Texas to significantly expand its enrichment programs for classroom teachers throughout the state.

The state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Humanities Texas develops and supports programs across the state, including lectures, oral history projects, teacher institutes, museum exhibitions and documentary films.

For more information about Humanities Texas and its programs for educators, visit http:// wwwhumanitiestexas.org