"Civilization is not inherited: it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew; if the transmission should be interrupted by one century, civilization would die, and we should be savages again."

Will and Ariel Durant

"So many of the blessings and advantages we have, so many of the reasons why our civilization, our culture, has flourished aren't understood; they're not appreciated. And if you don't have any appreciation of what people went through to get, to achieve, to build what you are benefiting from, then these things don't mean very much to you. You just think, well, that's the way it is.  That's our birthright.  That just happened.  But it didn't just happen.... And at what price? What grief?  What disappointment? What suffering went on?"

David McCullough,
presidential biographer

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

Aristotle

"Only the educated are free."

Epictetus

Collaborative Ventures and Awards

The American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc. (AHEF) collaborates locally and nationally with educational communities and school districts, non-profit and professional organizations, government, businesses, churches, and workshops to facilitate its goal of promoting American Heritage education and understanding among students and citizens. AHEF collaborates in large part with the Houston Independent School District (HISD), The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the McNair Foundation.

HISD and State of Texas Endorsements
American Heritage Month Proclamation
Sample HISD Admin
Sample HISD Teachers
Sample TEA
Sample Private Schools

SAR and National Endorsements
Sample SAR
Sample Schools

American Heritage Month
HISD-AHEF Collaborative Project

In 1993, AHEF and HISD worked to establish American Heritage Month.  American Heritage Month supports the teaching and understanding of the facts, philosophy, and values which make up our nation's unique history and upon which are nation is founded and ever affected.  American Heritage Month is an opening point for teachers in emphasizing education and ideas through creative resources, lessons, projects, and activities for students that further the understanding of American heritage.  Many schools now recognize and celebrate our nation's heritage each November. Mayor Bill White has endorsed this annual event in the 2004 American Heritage Month Proclamation. For her initiative in the project, AHEF Co-founder Eugenie Kamrath Gonzalez was honored with HISD's inaugural American Heritage Month Exemplary Citizenship Award 2004 themed "We the People."

 
America's Heritage:  An Adventure in Liberty
Collaborative Curriculum Project

HISD and AHEF, in conjunction with other community service groups including The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, have distributed over 40,700 copies of the collaborative curriculum, America's Heritage:  An Adventure in Liberty, to public, private, parochial, and home schools nationwide as well as to individuals, churches, workshops, and other organizations. The curriculum was developed and made possible by HISD, the McNair Foundation, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and AHEF.

Response

"I am overwhelmed by the response." -SAR

"I attended the Society of 1812 Zachary Taylor Chapter.... One of the American history teachers...received some CD's....  He arranged for the lessons to be displayed on a large screen for the students.  At the chapter meeting, he stated with amazement that out of 500 students that took the TAKS test, only 4 failed.  Amazing statistics. Thanks for making this program available to us." -Teacher

"I was happy to be able to add this great resource to our curriculum library designed for our students studying to be educators." -Asst. Prof, Teacher Ed.

"We had our annual Congress in Pittsburgh...and distributed...CDS there. We ran out and they signed up for more." -SAR

"[A homeschooling newsletter] published a notice in its newsletter about the CD and we are overwhelmed with the responses."

"The lesson plans...are very attractive to homeschoolers.  ...They are able to adopt the lesson plans long before school districts...."

"I have previewed the CD, and I am VERY IMPRESSED! I know that the American History teachers we encounter will be impressed as well!" -State Regent

"My children enjoyed doing the projects which made our history lessons a little more concrete for them.  This was evidenced by their higher test scores in History." -Parent/Home Educator

"Thank you so much for making something like this available. I feel strongly about the importance of passing down an understanding of the blessings we have in this country as well as the struggles it took to get us there!" -Teacher

"I am VERY interested in receiving your CD!  We will begin our studies of American History, the Revolution years, in the fall. My children are VERY excited!" -Homeschooling Parent

"The CD you got for us is wonderful....  I have loved looking it over and the children will be using it over the next couple of years." -Teacher

"Thank you for making this available to the homeschool community!  We are a family of 9 and our 3 oldest are currently in college....  The next children are young men ages 16, 14, and 9. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to give the kids the truth about America and believe it is the only way we can preserve her future." -Homeschooling Parent

"Thank you for helping us educate our children on truth of our American history." -Homeschooling Parent

See Feedback for more responses on AHEF projects.
 

HISD's American Heritage Citizenship Award
2004 Recipient:  Jeannie Kamrath Gonzalez, Co-founder of AHEF
Theme: "We The People"

The 2004 recipient of HISD's American Heritage Citizenship Award was Jeannie Kamrath Gonzalez, co-founder of AHEF, for her initiative, innovation, involvement, and passion in support of HISD's American Heritage Month and the values and ideas it uplifts and upholds through education.

America's Heritage:  An Adventure in Liberty
Graphic Excellence Award

The America's Heritage:  An Adventure in Liberty Binder Set in conjunction with HISD Printing Services received an award of merit for high-quality design and printing by the Printing and Imaging Association of Mid America and the Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast at the 2002 Graphic Excellence Awards Competition .  The pieces entered represent the finest material produced by leading printers and designers in this part of the country.

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