Al and Tipper Gore announced plans "to share their unique experience in public life" through teaching at Fisk University, Middle Tennessee State (MTSU), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Columbia University, and through writing a book on the family in America.
"Tipper and I have been fortunate to participate in an exciting time in America's history as we move into the new century. We look forward to sharing our experiences with students and American families and learning from them," Al Gore said.
The former vice president announced his plans to teach a new course in community building at Fisk University in Nashville and MTSU in Murfreesboro. Working from MTSU, Gore will participate in a series of lectures at community colleges in Tennessee; and in his role as a visiting professor at Fisk, he will guest lecture at historically black colleges and universities all across America.
Gore will conduct research at UCLA into the development of a new curriculum program for family-centered community building. He is developing the curriculum for his path-breaking new course in cooperation with the National Academic Consortium at the Institute for Children, Families and Communities at UCLA. The consortium, which grew out of Al and Tipper Gore's Family Reunion Conference two years ago, is developing a new, innovative curriculum that incorporates lessons from several disciplines, including health, business, architecture, education, and the social sciences.
In addition, Gore will also join the Columbia University School of Journalism faculty and lead a seminar which explores the complex intersection of policy, politics, and media in the Information Age.
Gore will begin teaching classes at both Fisk and Middle Tennessee State University this spring and will continue into the fall 2001 semester. He will begin his work at UCLA next week by participating in a faculty symposium at the school of public policy with Albert Carnesdale, UCLA Chancellor, and Neal Halfon, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Institute. Gore will meet regularly with students and faculty on campus.
"Tennessee is home to exceptional institutions of learning. I am proud and humbled to be a part of the tradition of excellence that Fisk and MTSU offer," Gore said.
Al and Tipper Gore also announced their plans to publish a book about the experiences of America's families.
"Our book will draw upon the struggles and successes of families across the country, including our own. We hope to help other parents and children in their search for answers to the challenges they face, just as we have tried to do with annual Family Reunion Conference," said Tipper Gore.
Al Gore added, "We are going to continue the Family Reunion Conference in conjunction with Vanderbilt University and intend to remain actively engaged in the public debate on the issues families care about, such as education, aging parents, teen violence and substance abuse and mental health."
"We are excited and grateful for these new opportunities before us and look forward to taking part in so many interesting and important endeavors," Al Gore concluded.