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Lawrence High Rocks! |
Posted: 05/18/2008 |
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Seeing my old friend and colleague Mike Ortman last week (Thursday) was a special treat, especially since I was invited to present Stan's story to his seminar class of juniors.
Mike was, and is, one of the most gifted educators I've had the privledge of teaching with. He brings history to life though his innovative teaching style, engageing students not only through recorded history, but as active participants in it.
After my introduction to the process of writing With Love Stan, students watched a video of Stan as a young man with his family and finally, in Vietnam with his army buddies. The class had great thought provoking questions for me. It was apparent they were well prepared for this important part of America's history.
Thanks Mike, students, and staff of Lawrence High! |
A Guest At Hillsboro High School |
Posted: 05/08/2008 |
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I presented to Jim Robb's US History classes on April 30th at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Kansas. A general session was held in the auditorium in the morning with all students in attendance. The Junior and Senior classes met during the afternoon for a more informal question and answer session. Jim has been using my book as part of the course work and study in his history classes.
Jim Robb is an award winning teacher who was recognized at the states Social Studies Conference last fall at Kansas State University. I was very impressed with the students grasp of the Vietnam era. Some students who previously or currently have relatives in Iraq, shared their feelings about what it's like to have a loved one in harms way and so far from home.
A big thanks to the teachers and office staff who made my visit relaxing and enjoyable . A special thanks to Dustin Dalke (Art Insturctor) for helping me with the technical stuff. Aunt Barb should be proud! |
Presentation at WACO High School |
Posted: 05/07/2008 |
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On April 16th, I presented to the US History classes at Waco High School in Wayland, Iowa and to the Crawfordsville Middle School in Crawfordsville, Iowa. Bert Miller, Media Specialist for both schools, arranged and coordinated the visit. Hanna McDowell's, sixth grade students also particpated with questions and comments. Students were studying the Vietnam War in the high school classes and were integrating With Love Stan into their curriculum.
Ralph Osborn and Larry Black, Vietnam veterans, attended the Crawfordsville session. Ralph a friend of Stan's, generously donated three books to the middle school. Both men added their perspective of the war.
A special thanks to Wanda (Bachman) Brooks a high school classmate and friend who help me through the day with driving directions, lugging my materials form place-to-place and for the wonderful coffee and brownies at the end of the day.
It's comforting to know there a still places like Wayland and Crawfordsville. Small towns with big hearts. |
Newton High School |
Posted: 05/05/2008 |
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Brian Kennell, history and social studies instructor at Newton High School, Newton, Kansas hosted my presentation on April 29th. Grant Scott (history) and Scott McCloud's (writing insturctor) students also sat in on some of the sessions. Brian uses his classroom set of With Love Stan, as a suppliment for studying the Vietnam War. Students were well prepared and had great questions after the presentation and film.
Some students who are thinking about enlisting in the military or who have relatives in Iraq were eagar to discuss their opinions and feelings about US past and present military conflicts.
Thanks Brian, for sharing my brother's story with your students. |
Flyover People Kansas Web Site |
Posted: 05/01/2008 |
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Flyover People Kansas http://www.flyoverpeople.net/ web site is a unique site that displays everything that's great about our state. I invite you to check it out. |
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