The program is called Critical Connections in American History, but for some teachers it's quite a bit more.

Daniel Fry has been teaching American history at Stuart Hall in Staunton for a year now and he says what he learns at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library re-energizes him for his classroom.

He says, "I take as much out of this as I can but the big thing I take out of here is that enthusiasm and that energy and I like to bring that back to the classroom."

This week, the teachers will gain new teaching and learning techniques that will improve their knowledge and appreciation of American history.

Joel Hodson, the director of education for the WWPL, says they are doing this for the kids.

"The ultimate goal always for a program like this is to take new knowledge back into the classroom and reach as many students as possible," says Hodson.

He believes it has a ripple affect throughout the school system.

"We have 25 teachers we hope that they'll take it back and share it with their colleagues. They'll take it back into their classrooms year after year, so potentially we reach tens of thousands of students," says Hodson.

However some teachers feel this program is about enhancing themselves as well.

Richard Wimer, a Beverley Manor middle school history teacher, says, "A teacher should always see themselves as a student as well. We should always be trying to learn the information that we are teaching and learning new skills as teachers so that we can become better at our job."

This is the first of three week lesson for the teachers. In August, they will continue by visiting Jamestown and Williamsburg and then will return to WWPL in the fall.