John D. Garner

John D. Garner, a United States history instructor at Muriel S. Snowden International School at Copley, was recently chosen to participate in “Challenges to National Security: A Summer Institute for Secondary Educators.” The program will be held from July 23-26 at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

At the institute, Garner will join a group of 20 educators from across the nation to study international terrorism, nuclear proliferation and U.S. foreign policy decisions and their implications for national security.

The institute aims to deepen the participating educators’ understanding of the major security challenges facing America and to introduce them to strategies that will help them engage students in the exploration of international policy and national security.

Participants will be taught by leading scholars in the field of national security as well as by experts in social studies pedagogy.

Garner has worked for the Boston Public Schools since 1974. He received his postsecondary education at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga., and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, earning a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational administration.

Often recognized for demonstrating leadership, dedication and excellence in teaching, Garner has been nominated for both the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and Boston Golden Apple Teacher of the Year awards since joining the Snowden International School in 2002.

In addition to his duties as a history instructor, Garner sits on the board of directors of the Boston-based Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts, and also serves as a member of the organization’s scholarship committee.