Congratulations on being accepted into a Founding Forward teacher seminar! Please view the general information and frequently asked questions below for seminars being held at The Union League of Philadelphia. Please review the FAQ before directing questions to [email protected].
All flight reservations should be made to fly in and out of 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 Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) should be booked to arrive before 4:30pm on the start day (Sunday) of the program, in order to get to the League House for check-in before orientation.
If your flight is delayed, please email [email protected].
Departing Flights: The program will end around 11:30am on Friday. Due to heightened security measures at PHL, you should allow at least two hours to get through security before your flight departs.
Transportation to and from airport: Founding Forward will not provide shuttles to or from the airport to The Union League of Philadelphia (140 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102). Teachers who need transportation from the airport are encouraged to secure ride share service or carpool with other participants.
Participating teachers who are driving to the program should use the following address:
1415 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Please park at the Union League’s Midtown Parking Garage (1415 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102) across from the Union League of Philadelphia. Parking will be included in your scholarship. Entrance to the Inn at the League is across from the garage.
Teachers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the League House. Please see above for airport information and driving directions.
Please note, Founding Forward will not provide shuttles to or from the airport to The Union League of Philadelphia (140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102). Teachers who need transportation from the airport are encouraged to secure ride share service or carpool with other participants.
This program is for accepted, registered teacher participants only. Family members and guests are not permitted to stay at the hotel or attend this program.
All participants will enjoy a private room at the Inn located inside the League House. Check-in for the hotel is 4:00pm on the day your program starts, and amenity information can be found here: www.unionleague.org/be-our-guest
In-person orientation and welcome will be at 6:00pm on Sunday, at the start of the program, followed by dinner at 7:00pm. All participants must attend the in-person orientation.
While at the League, 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.
Dress is business casual. Pressed pants (no jeans) and collared shirts are required and must be tucked. Comparable attire for women is expected as well.
Sneakers, ripped clothing, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, or any beach attire are not permitted.
A good pair of walking shoes and an umbrella or rain gear are suggested for field study days; participants will be walking up to 2 miles to visit historic sites in Old City Philadelphia.
A sweater or light jacket may be needed in the classroom, which is kept cool.
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.
Having a laptop or tablet is not required for the class but is strongly encouraged. If you choose to bring one, be sure to include a charging cord.
Summer in southeastern Pennsylvania is usually hot and humid with pop-up thunderstorms. The last few years have been unusual so be prepared for anything.
Plan to fully participate in this program. Stay with the group at all times and do not wander off on your own agenda. If you would like to see additional sites in the area, arrange to fly in prior to, or stay after the program ends. Be mindful of other participants but most of all have fun while learning. Please see the Conduct Code (below) for further details.
As a teacher attending a Founding Forward professional development program, you represent both yourself and your school district. During your stay at Union League Liberty Hill, we expect the following from you:
If, after reading the above, you have any questions please email the Education Department at [email protected].
Each day the program director will give specific times to be in the classroom. Make sure you are on time and in your seat for the start of each program. If you miss the bus for off-campus programs, it is your responsibility to catch up with the group.
Unless otherwise noted in your registration confirmation, all program materials will be included or made available online in a Google Classroom specifically for your seminar.
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.
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. Please contact us if you have a service dog that will accompany you on property at [email protected].
Thanks to a generous donor, Founding Forward will provide a $150 stipend to every accepted teacher to help offset expenses related to attending a week-long or three-day professional development seminar. Upon completion of the program, teachers will receive a $150 check to help cover travel, childcare, or any other expenses they might incur.
All accepted teachers receive a scholarship to attend the program, which covers the cost of the program, hotel room, program materials, site visits, most meals, and more.
Please email [email protected] if you have additional questions after reading the FAQ’s.
To hold your space in the seminar, a refundable deposit of $150 is required with your registration form by the due date listed in the initial acceptance email. Refunds are only issued to those who attend and complete the programs. If you withdraw from the program prior to its start, your deposit will not be refunded.
