2024 Teacher Seminar FAQ

Orientation and Seminar Materials

Orientation

Orientation and welcome will be at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. on Sunday.  All participants are required to attend orientation.

Program Syllabus

A syllabus will be posted on your program’s Google site and will be continuously updated as the program evolves.  A link to the Google site will be sent by May 1st to teachers who successfully registered for their program and paid the refundable $150 deposit.

Required Reading

Required reading for the program will be found in the program syllabus.

Program Materials

Participants are responsible for purchasing the required books and readings for the program unless otherwise stated. It is very easy to accumulate large quantities of material as the week progresses. If you do not want to pack this material in your luggage, USPS Priority Shipping boxes will be  available from our Education staff, and can be mailed from The Lodge. Shipping charges will be billed to your credit card on file for incidentals.

Conduct

Conduct Code

As a teacher attending a Founding Forward professional development program, you are representing both yourself and your school district. During your stay at Union League Liberty Hill, we expect the following from you:

  • Participate in all aspects of the program.
  • Be on time for all lectures. Walking into a lecture after it has started is distracting to the speaker and those who arrived on time, and it is rude.
  • Show respect to fellow participants, speakers, and staff.
  • Leave the classrooms, hotel rooms, dining areas, and recreation areas as you found them.
  • Follow all instructions as communicated by the program director and staff.
  • Smoking is prohibited indoors.
  • Use alcohol responsibly.
  • Illegal drugs are not permitted.

Any infractions will be reported to your principal and school superintendent.  If, after reading the above, you have any questions please email the Education Department at grad@ffvf.org

Program Etiquette

Please plan to fully participate in this program and stay with the group at all times. If you would like to see additional sites in the area, please make arrangements to fly in prior to or stay after the program ends. Please be mindful of other participants but most of all have fun while learning. Please see the Conduct Code (above) for further details.

Bus Etiquette

During the time you will be off-site, you will be traveling with a large number of teachers on a small motor coach. Please keep in mind the comfort of other passengers on this motor coach. Do not wear any heavy perfume or aftershave.  Alcohol, tobacco and drugs are prohibited at all times while on the motor coach.  Trash cans are available in the front and rear of the motor coach for your convenience! Be courteous and leave the motor coach as you found it.  Do not expect our staff or the bus driver to clean up after you.

Transportation to Freedoms Foundation

Airport Arrival and Departure Information

All flight reservations should be made to fly in and out of Philadelphia International Airport (Airport code PHL). Please see the Flight Arrival and Departure info below for specifics on how and when to book your airline reservation.

Arrival/Departure City: Philadelphia International Airport (Airport code PHL)

Flight Insurance: As in all instances where travel by airline or train is taking place, it is recommended that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances.

Arriving Flights: Flight reservations to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) should be booked to arrive between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the arriving Sunday, if you want to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to Union League Liberty Hill. (See below for instructions on where to find the shuttle.)

If your flight is delayed, please text, or call the staff person and let him/her know what is happening with your flight. It is your responsibility to let the staff person know what is going on with any delayed or cancelled flights – the airlines will not give us any personal information. The Education Office cell phone is 610-960-3357 and will be answered by the airport staff.  This number is only for the Sunday travel day and is not answered on a daily basis.

Departing Flights: The motor coach will drop off participants at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) at approximately 12:30 p.m. on the last day of the program. Due to heightened security measures at PHL, you should allow at least two hours to get through security before your flight departs.

If your flight departs prior to 2:30 p.m., it is your responsibility to make your own arrangements to get from Union League Liberty Hill to the airport. Founding Forward is not responsible if you miss your flight because you did not leave enough time to get through security. American Airlines, the largest carrier at PHL, spans four different terminals, and security lines can get lengthy.

AMTRAK: For those arriving on AMTRAK to 30th street station, please take the regional rail line to Miquon Station, which is just down Manor Road, close to Union League Liberty Hill.  Complimentary transportation from Miquon Station to Union League Liberty Hill is available only for those who make reservations 24-hours in advance with Liberty Hill directly by calling 610-825-8000. If you do not make a reservation with Liberty Hill 24-hours in advance, please find your own transportation to Union League Liberty Hill

Shuttle to Program: Complimentary transportation from Philadelphia International Airport to Union League Liberty Hill is available only for those who make reservations in advance with the Education Office at Founding Forward. If you do not make a reservation with the Education Office in advance, please find your own transportation to Union League Liberty Hill

To find our staff person at PHL please claim your baggage, walk to the American Airlines baggage claim area in terminals B/C. Our staff person will be greeting teachers between luggage carousal “F” and “G” near the hotdog stand.

The first shuttle to Union League Liberty Hill will depart PHL at approximately 2:15 p.m. This will be followed by a second shuttle at approximately 5:15 p.m. All times are estimated and will be determined by the flight schedule of those who make reservations.

We cannot guarantee complimentary transportation for flights landing after 5:00 p.m.  If your flight is running late, it is your responsibility to contact the staff person.

If you arrive at PHL early and want something to eat, you should remain in the secure area for a better food selection. After leaving the secured area, the only food available is from the hotdog stand and vending machines.

Philadelphia Airport Meet and Greet Staff Person: The airport Meet and Greet staff person will have the Education Office cell phone during Sunday’s shuttle times.  The Education Office cell number is 610-960-3357.  (This phone is only answered on Sunday, the first day of the program.)

Transportation to Program

Complimentary transportation from Philadelphia International Airport to Union League Liberty Hill is available only for those who make reservations in advance with the Education Office at Founding Forward. If you do not make a reservation with the Education Office in advance, please find your own transportation to Union League Liberty Hill

For those arriving on AMTRAK to 30th street station, please take the regional rail line to Miquon Station, which is just down Manor Road, close to Union League Liberty Hill.  Complimentary transportation from Miquon Station to Union League Liberty Hill is available only for those who make reservations 24-hours in advance with Liberty Hill directly by calling 610-825-8000. If you do not make a reservation with Liberty Hill 24-hours in advance, please find your own transportation to Union League Liberty Hill

Driving Directions

For those driving to Union League Liberty Hill, use the following address:

800 Ridge Pike
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

On Google maps or other GPS systems (such as Waze), you can find us by entering Union League Liberty Hill.  Additional driving directions can be found here: https://ffvf.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/EWsOYF4QZshHloRfF04CIEEBeLkageGQExqjwGHGJBUVzw?e=5mnuDK

 

Commuters

All commuters must attend the Sunday evening program orientation. Lunch is included on the days the group is at Union League Liberty Hill. You are welcome to join the group for breakfast and dinner each day. The program director will announce if evening programs are mandatory.

Travel Stipends

Travel stipends are sometimes available for teachers from sponsors in certain geographic areas.  Eligible teachers will be notified of their travel stipend after they are accepted and register for their program.  Travel stipends are always paid at the conclusion of the programs, so teachers must pay their own travel expenses and get reimbursed for the amount of the travel stipend upon successful completion of their program.

If you live near one of our chapters, you may want to reach out to that chapter to see if they will help with your travel expenses.  Also, check with your school to see if they can help offset a portion of your travel costs.  Some school districts have professional development funds build into their budgets, and may be able to provide some funding.”

Accommodations

Accommodations

All participants will enjoy a private room in The Lodge.  Check-in and amenity information can be found here: https://zngl.me/qR56pos

Meals

While at Union League Liberty Hill, your meals are included throughout the program. All meals are prepared by their culinary staff. If you have a true food allergy, please note it on your registration form. The staff will take exceptional care of you during your stay, and you will not go hungry.

Service Dogs

Service dogs are permitted for Founding Forward program participants if the animals meet the definition provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA defines a service dog as one “that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” Therapy animals, emotional support animals, and companion animals are NOT service animals under the ADA.  Documentation must be provided.

Dress Code and Packing

Dress Code and Packing

Dress is smart casual. Collared shirts are required and must be tucked. Blazer is preferred, but not required. Dark, well fitting, dress denim is allowed. No sneakers, ripped clothing, or T-shirts. Summer Dress Code (Memorial Day to Labor Day) Dress, Bermuda shorts and sandals are allowed. No flip flops. A good pair of walking shoes and an umbrella or rain gear are suggested.  A sweater or light jacket may be needed in the classroom, which is kept cool.

Dress or business casual attire is required for Thursday night’s Celebration Dinner banquet. Remember, you are not only representing yourself but your school district, as well.

Remember your cell phone, tablet or laptop and chargers. A charging cord for your laptop is a good idea.

You will be handling your own luggage. Please pack your bag so you are able to transfer it from one location to another.

Program Materials

It is your responsibility to purchase the required reading books for the program unless otherwise stated. It is very easy to accumulate large quantities of material as the week progresses. If you do not want to pack this material in your luggage, USPS Priority Shipping boxes will be available from our Education staff, and can be mailed from The Lodge.  Shipping charges will be billed to your credit card on file for incidentals.

Laptops and Tablets

Having a laptop or tablet is not required for the class though it is highly recommended.  If you choose to bring one, please consider bringing an extension cord and charger.

We also offer free Wi-Fi for seminar attendees.

General

Recording Lectures

Lectures may be recorded with permission from the speaker.  Please follow any restrictions speakers give for recording or picture taking during their lectures. If visiting an off-site venue, you must follow the rules set forth by the venue..

How much is physical activity involved?

There is a moderate amount of walking at Union League Liberty Hill and at historic sites.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the information listed above, please email grad@ffvf.org.

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