On the staff of the largest high school in Columbus, I have had a front-row seat in witnessing the motivation and excitement about learning access to technology can create in students. Over the past ten years that I have been teaching with technology, the curriculum areas and grade level have changed but I have always been in some type of teaching collaborative with one to four other teachers. Next year I will be working with an English teacher in an American history/literature team at the eleventh grade level.

The Internet has been a resource for me and my students since 1994 when I received my first slip account as a component of a Pioneering Partners Grant. This year, with internet access in every classroom in my school, all our uses of technology have increased rapidly. From authoring web pages to creating slide shows and booklets, students are learning to use technology in authentic real world activities.

Last summer I spent two weeks in Germany as an Armonk Scholar, studying education and government changes since World War II. I also gained a deep appreciation of the multicultural of the U.S. While I was in Bonn, I was thrilled to meet a teacher I had met through e-mail on a mail list. We have continued to write about our classes and cultures and our students have exchanged e-mail about their countries and interests. My students have also participated in e-mail projects with classes in New York, Wyoming, and Texas.


Linda C. Joseph
Library Media Specialist, Columbus Public Schools
Columbus, Ohio
Link to Team Portfolio

In my spare time I enjoy digging through archives and courthouse records in a quest to learn more about my family roots. I'm also interested in photography and worked with students a number of years ago in producing an 8mm film titled The Pie Slinger - a spoof on westerns. Instead of using guns, we used pies and lots of metaphors like Crumbtown and Lemon Merango Gang. In essence I enjoy searching and doing projects. This along with my technology interests led me to the Library of Congress American Memory project.

In my school district I wear several hats, including Internet training, curriculum integration, WebMaster, and general technology troubleshooting. On the side I write the CyberBee column for MultiMedia Schools magazine, conduct workshops statewide, and maintain the LOGS (Living Ohio Goernment Series) website for American NewMedia Educational Foundation. It is designed to assist teachers in helping students with the Ohio Citizenship proficiency test.

I was honored with the Governor's Pathfinder Award for Educational Technology and the Golden Apple Achiever Award from Ashland.

I have a daughter and new grandson living in the D.C. area. I also have two landladies (cats), Rascal and Fuzz who make sure I take a break from the computer to feed them. Flower gardening, movies, and anything Disney round out my interests.


Carolyn F. Kindle
Librarian, Hughes Center
Cincinatti, Ohio
Link to Team Portfolio

My teaching certification includes secondary history and English, but for most of my career I have been a librarian for preschool through grade twelve. The library - The heart of the school! I was a true librarian 19 years ago when I sat on a low stool reading wonderful picture books, dramatizing fairy tales, and making puppets. High tech was an automated filmstrip projector.

Then came the Texas Instrument computer. Sixth grade students graphed pictures that were linked for a "slide show" . An Apple or two later and students are pulling visuals off the Internet and adding them to Hyperstudio programs. I help students with research. They teach me to use computer programs. Fun? You bet!

Hughes Center is a secondary school with five magnet programs in the Cincinnati Public District. Staff attend a summer Paideia Institute during their first year. A unique feature of the school is a weekly Socratic seminar where 1,800 students discuss primary sources, literature and art.

The library has an online catalog, a CD ROM tower, MAC access to the web, ProQuest and NewsBank. I spend most of my day teaching students and staff to be successful users of electronic search systems.

As a lead teacher in the district, I advocate for inner city youth with letters to the editor and speeches at board meetings. Six of the 80 librarians are certified lead teachers networking to help each other with shrinking budgets and increasing responsibilities.

Do I have any hobbies? Of course! I read!


Paul S. Filio
Teacher, Hughes Center
Cincinatti, Ohio
Link to Team Portfolio

I have been a social studies teacher for over ten years and before that I was a teaching assistant at the University of Cincinnati in the history department. My MA is in History with a minor in the field of American History. I have taught numerous history course including AP European History, American History, World History, etc. About three years ago, I was given the job of Curriculum Specialist for Social Studies, Cincinnati Public Schools. My job was to develop and write a comprehensive social studies curriculum for the entire district and then help to implement the program district wide. I wrote both the US History curriculums (grade 6, 8 and 11) and also the World History curriculum (grade 9).

I have been actively involved in various professional organizations. I am a member of NCSS and chaired the Science, Technology and Society committee for two years. I also have made numerous presentations at local, state and national conventions. I worked for two years with the National Council for History Education Colloquium program and did workshops in several states (Alabama, Massachusetts and Rhode Island). I am currently the Co-Chairperson for NCSS Local Arrangements Committee 1997 Annual Conference which will be held in Cincinnati this fall. I am also the Webmaster for the Ohio Council for the Social Studies Home Page Network (http://www.iac.net/~pfilio/).

Currently, I am helping to pilot in my classroom a web site program with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. I have a couple of hobbies: chess, photography and (same as my fellow team member) reading.


Frances Jacobson
Librarian, University Laboratory High School
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Link to Team Portfolio

Since 1987 I've been the librarian at University Laboratory High School, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's secondary-level laboratory school for high ability students. With a small student body (300 in grades eight through twelve), I get to know everyone. As teachers, we have a lot of autonomy and are encouraged to forge new territory. For the past several years I have been extremely interested in how technology (and the Internet specifically) affects student search strategies and perceptions of information sources. As a member of our computer literacy faculty team, which teaches a required course, I developed a curriculum that emphasizes the evaluation of information across formats and addresses ethical uses of information and communication technology. I just finished editing an issue of Library Trends on "Children and the Digital Library" (Volume 45, Number 4). During the course of that project I became acquainted with the American Memory collections and was able to solicit two contributions for the issue (one from Judith Graves, who developed the Learning Page and one from the folks at the Center for Children and Technology). When my social studies teacher friend (and now partner in this venture) showed me the Fellows application, I jumped at the opportunity. In addition to the writing and playing I do in my professional life, I am the single mother of two teenage sons, play the violin in a Sunday afternoon string quartet, and love to dig in my yard.


Barbara Wysocki
Social Studies Executive Teacher, University Laboratory High School
University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Link to Team Portfolio

My first eighteen years as a teacher were spent at LaSalle-Peru (Illinois) Township High School where I was a U.S. History teacher and chair of the Social Studies Department. I wrote my first grant there, which was for an interdisciplinary curriculum course that focused on local environmental issues and the connection between science and the social sciences. Twelve years ago, I began my current position at University High School which offered me the opportunity to continue teaching in addition to the challenges of a laboratory school. I realized I liked the risks of curriculum development and the excitement of nurturing a new course. My first experience here at Uni was Social Advocacy -- a service learning class which was also interdisciplinary in nature. Beyond my life in education, I have been active in the local twin cities (Champaign-Urbana) as a member of the League of Women Voters. I served as president of a local chapter and am currently an observer to the city council and county board. Most recently, I have been selected as a member of our cities' delegation to the Presidential Summit on Community Service in Philadelphia.

Before embarking on a teaching career, I was a VISTA volunteer, serving on the Navajo reservation in Arizona and in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Seven years ago, I married a geologist whose avocation is prairie management through the Nature Conservancy and Grand Prairie Friends. Through him, I'm acquiring an interest in wildflowers and bird watching.


Christine Fricke
Media Specialist, Fox Hill Elementary School
Indianapolis, IN
Link to Team Portfolio

Fox Hill was one of the original sites for the evaluation of the American Memory collections from the Library of Congress. I have worked with our teachers over the past five years to incorporate this resource into their curriculum. As a school library media specialist, I have always enjoyed the process of learning whether it involves reading a book, watching a video or using a computer. As educators I think we have the perfect opportunity to model life-long learning to our students! What a better time to do this with the information age and technology explosion that is a part of all of our lives.

Primary sources of information are one of the most interesting ways to learn about our history and culture. I think we really begin to connect to those time periods when we can explore the lives of the people, both famous and ordinary, through photos, journals and films of the time. In my family, my grandmother lived with us when I was growing up. She had a wonderful collection of artifacts that she would bring out to tell stories about "the olden days." The lesson to learn from this is that people today are pretty much the same as they were a hundred years ago. We still have the same wants and needs, hopes and dreams. My favorite treasures that I inherited from my grandmother are all of her quilting templates,fabric, etc. In my free time, I enjoy quilting..... and, obviously, reading and exploring the Internet.


Glenda Ritz
5th Grade Teacher, Fox Hill Elementary School
Indianapolis, Indiana
Link to Team Portfolio

I applied for the American Memory Fellows program because the Fox Hill media specialist, Chris Fricke, asked me if I'd be interested in working with her on another project involving American Memory. Chris and I have worked on several projects, so of course I said, "Yes."

I currently teach 5th grade gifted students for humanities/social studies course work, and I work with lower level ability students for science/math. I work closely with my 5th grade colleagues to provide students with interdisciplinary units of study.

I consider my biggest professional achievements to be the strategies I have developed to meet the individual needs of students assigned to my classroom. My experiences include working with severe mentally handicapped students (ages 10-21) in isolated, integrated, and inclusion settings, general education students (grades 4 - 6), and gifted students (grade 5). I enjoy challenges and know the necessity of seeking support.

Professionally, I thrive on learning new teaching strategies and technological advancements to enhance classroom learning. I have attended many conferences and inservice seminars. I am very active in my teacher's Association, WTEA. I have served as WTEA president for three terms. I am proud to have been instrumental in the development of our teacher evaluation system, our class size procedure, and our discussion process. As an individual, I received recognition as Fox Hill's 1995 Teacher of the Year.

Personally, I like to READ, watch good movies, travel, and relax with my family on quiet vacations.


Jim Bogart
Library Media Specialist, Manhattan High School
Manhattan, Kansas
Link to Team Portfolio

Although I have been a library media specialist or instructional technology coordinator for the past 18 years, I began my teaching career as a social studies teacher at the middle and elementary school levels. My undergraduate degree is in history and much of my recreational reading since I quit teaching social studies involves reading historical fiction and biographies. As a library media specialist I have worked with many history teachers and students at the secondary level with research and the subsequent projects.

Photography has been a hobby of mine for many years. During my career as an educator, I have taught basic photography skills to elementary students and helped many secondary students and teachers produce slide-tape shows. Many of the slides were taken from magazines, newspapers, and prints. It seems to have been a natural progression for me to now help students and teachers produce multimedia presentations. Of course, the pictures are now digitized from sources such as digital cameras, laserdiscs, videotape, scanners, screen capture, and the internet. Basic to the selection of visuals for a presentation is the research necessary for the project. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of searching for the appropriate information.

I currently work mostly with students in grades 10 through 12. I also help teach "PC Multimedia" and "Electronic Research" classes at Kansas State University. This gives me contact with teachers from all across the state of Kansas. During my career as media specialist and instructional technology coordinator I have made numerous technology presentations and assisted many others in preparing slide or multimedia presentations.


Mickey Bogart
Social Studies Dept Chair/Teacher, Manhattan High School
Manhattan, Kansas
Link to Team Portfolio

My interest in the Institute came from a letter of notification I received from Terry Dozier in the US Department of Education (as a former Goals 2000 Teacher I receive these communications periodically). When I read the application, it seemed a great opportunity for a History teacher married to a Media specialist/Technology person. I teach Advanced Placement U.S. History (gr. 11), an integrated History/Literature class (gr. 11), and a technology-based current affairs class (gr 10-12). I am a social historian at heart and my guiding philosophy in teaching history is to help young people see what ordinary people have done with what is done to them, and for the students in myclasses to see history with themselves in it. We do a research project each year and use the National History Day theme for our topics. This year's theme: Migrations in History, seemed a good match with the Institute project. I like to incorporate instructional technology for research and multimedia presentations both by me and by my students. Because of my own interest in music and literature and technology, these are always a part of my teaching units.

My hobbies include reading and listening to music. As I type this I'm trying to remember when my life included time for hobbies :-). Perhaps my 28 years as a social studies teacher, 3 children and some delightful grandchildren count as my hobbies.

Achievements include Kansas Master Teacher (1993), Milken National Educator (1993), History Channel Mentor Teacher Award (1996), Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Scholar (1990), and USIA/Estonia Civic Education Consultant (1996).


Michael Federspiel
Social Studies Department Head, H.H. Dow High School
Midland, Michigan
Link to Team Portfolio

I am, and have been for the past 6 years, a teaching administrator at a 1300 student public high school in mid-Michigan. For three class periods each day I teach American history to eleventh grade students of varying abilities. The other two periods are set for administrative responsibilities for our twelve member social studies staff which include curriculum development, budgeting, and teachers' evaluations. In my 15 year career, I have also taught at the junior high level, in an alternative education program, and was an assistant junior high school principal for three years.

I was raised in a small farming community close to where I now work where I learned to love reading and the past from my family which included elderly uncles and grandmothers. At Central Michigan University I double majored in history and English as an undergraduate and have since earned my Masters in history, always knowing that I wanted to teach.

I applied for the American Memory Institute for many reasons. I teach with and believe in using primary sources because they encourage critical thinking, student centered lessons, and a personalization of the past. I want to learn more about the American Memory collections so I can use it more effectively with my students and can help colleagues do so as well. I also want to learn from others how they use both this technology and artifacts. Maybe most of all, I enjoy meeting new people and learning. The instuitute seems to offer meaningful opportunities for both."


Timothy Hall
Assistant Professor of History, Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Link to Team Portfolio

I come to the American Memory Fellows program wearing three hats: academic historian, college professor, and teacher of secondary history teaching methods. Since grad school days I have maintained a keen personal interest in the application of computer technology to research and teaching of history. I believe computer technology, especially internet-based technology such as the World Wide Web, has great potential for transforming history instruction at all levels by involving students in much more effective, active learning. I have published in the field of colonial American history as well as presenting scholarly papers on the topic at regional and national conferences. My research has drawn extensively on printed sources such as pamphlets and newspapers, so I am experienced in working with the kinds of primary materials included in the American Memory program. I regularly teach undergraduate and graduate courses in early American history, and incorporate printed primary sources extensively in my instruction. I am also a history educator, each semester carrying departmental responsibility for teaching our course "Teaching History in the Secondary Schools," supervise our student teaching majors in the content area, and maintain contacts with secondary educators. I chair Central Michigan University's interdisciplinary Social Science Council, which administrates the university's Social Studies Education program, and I monitor state Department of Education policy in K-12 education. I serve on the executive committee of the Michigan Council for History Education. I am active in applying computer technology to history education, serving as a co-editor and member of the editorial board for H-AMREL, H-NET's American Religious History discussion list. I am responsible for piloting my department's venture into computer multimedia enhancement of instruction, and I continually work to incorporate World Wide Web-based elements into my history methods course.


Carolyn M. Nickerson
Information Manager, Burke High School, Omaha Public Schools
Omaha, NE
Link to Team Portfolio

I enjoy a state change and technology has provided that atmosphere for me. I have always been fasinated by communication tools and the Internet was a perfect attraction. I piloted e-mail projects for elementary students in the late 80's and have been using the Internet as it has progressed to the current format. My current focus is to train teachers and students how to be information literate. I feel very strongly about people having the skills to use the vast resources of information available to us.

I have been teaching in the area of Information Science at the elementary level and the secondary level for the past 22 years. Currently I am teaching in a 9-12 high school in the Omaha Public Schools of Omaha, NE. Our student population is around 1,600 in a middle to upper class neighborhood. The elementary school I taught in was near 750 students in a poverty to lower class area. Students who attended the elementary school may opt to attend this high school so I get to work with some former students.

I serve on several district committees for Internet and curriculum design, an advisor to the Nebraska State Department of Education for School Media Standards, Coach to a state champion academic decathlon team for 1997, an Internet training for the district for the past seven years, currently I am director of a Nebraska Lottery grant for our school and nine feeder schools, we are doing communuication with multimedia and I teach advanced multimedia classes for this grant, which has now become part of our curriculum. My hobby is technology and attempts to keep up with it.

I was very attracted to the American Fellows documents, because I believe that is the way we should be using the World Wide Web for instruction and students need to experience learning from all sources and not just a text. I am so excited about this opportunity that I can't wait to begin working on the curriculum.


Michael Young
Teacher/Social Studies Dept. Chairman, Omaha Burke H.S.
Omaha, Nebraska
Link to Team Portfolio

I have been teaching high school social studies for the past 30 years. I have always been interested in doing curriculum work and have attended many institutes/workshops throughout the country. I became interested in this particular institute because of my interest in working with historical documents and trying to improve my ability to use computer technology. My partner, Carol Nickerson, is in charge of our technology program at our school and is very knowledgeable about technology. I hope she can assist me with the technology, and that we will develop a quality product. I have very little expertise in using technology, but I think it can be a very effective teaching tool. I attended a workshop several years ago at the National Archives, and I think that has encouraged me to apply for institutes such as this one. I enjoy foreign travel and have been to Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. I received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in South Korea for six weeks and participated in a Holocaust study program to Israel and Poland. My main hobby is reading. I especially enjoy espionage, murder mysteries, and historical topics. I have hundreds of books. I currently teach U.S. and world history to juniors and seniors. I will attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha for three weeks starting June 9th. The emphasis of the class will be integrating economics in history classes.