Today,
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush visited Liberty Hill Intermediate School as part of his 'Year of Education' Initiative. Commissioner Bush taught an interactive Texas history lesson using reproductions of an original map created by Stephen. F. Austin from the GLO archives.
The history lesson included an interactive lesson of Stephen F. Austin’s map taught by Commissioner Bush and the exclusive opportunity for students to hold and examine a cannonball found at the Alamo.
“Our classrooms of today are the training grounds for our leaders of tomorrow,” said
Commissioner Bush. “As a State, we must continue to ensure that our children learn about our unique history, particularly the colonization of Texas. It was a privilege to meet with students at Liberty Hill Intermediate and show them primary sources from the Texas State Archives. The State of Texas is in good hands with the next generation.”
Earlier this year, Commissioner Bush dedicated 2019 to having a conversation with the future, engaging with students, teachers, and administrators across the state. As part of the 'Year of Education,' Commissioner Bush is traveling across the state and participating in 50 education events to promote education in all types of learning environments (public, charter, homeschool, private, rural, urban, suburban). The GLO Archives and Records is home to more than 35.5 million documents and 45,000 maps, dating back to the year 1561, and tracing the history of Texas' public lands. Using copies of these restored maps, Commissioner Bush brings primary sources into Texas classrooms and teaches a lesson on Texas history to students. As a special surprise, students are given a chance to hold a cannonball fired at the Battle of the Alamo at the end of the lesson. As a former school teacher, Commissioner Bush understands first-hand the impact education has on our students. Previously, he has noted that it is not only important to support our Texas school districts but to also connect with them.
For more details and photos from the event, check out the GLO’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.