The Authors

Lisa Abramowski

Belmont Elementary

Rockford Public Schools

Lisa Abramowski teaches kindergarten at Belmont Elementary School in the Rockford Public School District. She is currently in her seventh year of teaching and loves helping the littlest learners fall in love with school for the first time. Lisa is also a technology coach who especially enjoys teaching coding to her building’s K-2 students. When Lisa is not coding with kinders or facilitating guided reading groups, she can often be spotted training for marathons, baking in her kitchen, or drinking far too much coffee.

Ronalyn Arseneau

NICE Community School District

Westwood High School

Ronalyn Arseneau teaches Economics and Business at Westwood High School in Ishpeming. She is a member of the State Executive Board of the Michigan Business Education Association, serving as Vice-President for Membership. She and her husband, Barry, enjoy traveling to spend time with their three children and their grandson.

Marlene Bailey

Elk Rapids Public Schools

Lakeland Elementary School

Marlene Bailey serves as an elementary social studies chair for the Elk Rapids school district Curriculum Committee. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Education from Michigan State University and a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louis National University. Bailey has more than 30 years of classroom experience with at least 20 years of teaching fifth grade social studies. Currently part of an International Baccalaureate candidate school writing units of Inquiry for a developing Primary Years Program.

Hillary Baker

East Kentwood High School

East Kentwood Public Schools

“Hillary Baker has spent twenty-two years teaching social studies in the high school setting. She has taught Civics, Criminal Law, Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, Sociology, and Humanities. In addition, she has coached and advised various social studies co-curricular programs such as the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution Congressional Hearing Simulation as well as Model United Nations. Baker has been recognized as the 2014 American Lawyer Alliance’s Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year as well as the Michigan Civic Educator of the Year in 2014. She also has served in a leadership capacity for the College Board A.P. Reading since 2008. Baker began her teaching career in Traverse City Area Public Schools where for seven years she taught in an integrated, interdisciplinary Humanities Program as well as other social science courses such as A.P. U.S. Government and Politics and Sociology. She has spent the last fifteen years teaching at East Kentwood High School and currently also serves as an Instructional Coach in the building. She is a graduate from the University of Michigan where she earned a B.A. in Political Science. In addition, she earned a M.A. in Secondary Education through the MaC Program also at the University of Michigan. In 2012, she earned her Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Valley State University.

Travis L. Balzer

Shepherd Public Schools

Travis L. Balzer is a Shepherd High School social studies teacher concentrating in Economics, Civics and History. Mr. Balzer (Mr. B) resides in Shepherd with his bride Haley, and daughters Makayla and Mia Jean. A Gladwin High School graduate. Parents Vicki and Teddy reside in Gladwin. Travis’ sister, Kristal and two sons, Isaac and Adam reside in the Lansing area. Mr. Balzer earned an Economics and Management degree from Albion College and proceeded to obtain teaching certification from Saginaw Valley State University in Social Studies. In addition, obtaining a masters in Educational leadership from Grand Valley State University. Hunting, exercising including P90X, biking, running and outdoor activities are great ways that time is spent, when possible. In addition, Travis volunteers at Mount Pleasant Community Church in children ministry and for Vacation Bible School.

McAnn Bradford

KND Elementary

Kaleva Normon Dickson Schools

Avid lover of all things History and Technology. Loves to find and use new ways to get topics and information to my students. My goal is that every student learns one thing they didn’t know each day! When I am not teaching, I am reading, crafting, traveling, and spending time with people

Nancy A. Bucholtz

Harbor Beach Community Schools

Harbor Beach Elementary

Nancy Bucholtz earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University, and then earned her masters degree from Saginaw Valley State University in Early Childhood Education. She had the opportunity to teach 2 years in the Utica Community Schools District before moving to Huron County, and she is now completing her 13th year at Harbor Beach Community Schools. During her teaching career she has taught the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, but 13 years of her career have been spent in the 4th grade. During her 15 years of teaching, she has been actively involved with many committees and initiative projects within her school district. Nancy received the honor of Walmart Teacher of the Year in 2007, and her students have been recognized by the state for their achievements on their standardized assessments. In addition to her professional accomplishments, her proudest accomplishments have come with being married to an amazing man for almost 13 years and having 3 wonderful children.

Rebecca Bush

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District

Adjunct Professor Hope College

Economics Editor, 8th Grade US History Editor, High School US History Editor

Rebecca Bush is currently the Social Studies Consultant at the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD), where she assists K12 social studies teachers in developing curriculum, modeling instructional strategies in social studies literacy, and designing district level formative and summative assessments. Additionally, as Project Director, she has written and received multiple Teaching American History grants, working with teachers throughout an eight county radius. She has presented at various national conference on multiple topics surrounding social studies instruction as well as innovative techniques and topics in formative and summative assessment design. Currently she is Co-Project Director of The Performance Assessments of Social Studies Thinking (PASST) Project and assists with the professional development of teacher writers for the MI Open Book Project where she serves as an editor of several of the project’s texts. Rebecca currently leads the Michigan Social Studies Supervisors Association and is a member of the National Social Studies Supervisors Association Executive Board of Directors. She is also an adjunct professor at Hope College in Holland, MI.

Stefanie Camling

Coopersville High School

Coopersville Area Public Schools

Stefanie has been teaching for twenty two years. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies as well as her Masters in Education Leadership from Grand Valley State University. She is currently teaching at Coopersville High School in sociology, world history, and AP world history. Stefanie has served has the student council advisor, junior class advisor, coach, and Vision Team chair. Stefanie was one of the writers for Performance Assessments of Social Studies Thinking (P.A.S.S.T) for World History. Stefanie resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband Tom and son Tommy Jr.

Amy Carlson

Thunder Bay Junior High

Alpena Public Schools

Amy has taught in Alpena Public Schools for many years. When not teaching or working on interactive Social Studies resources like this one she enjoys reading, hunting and fishing with her husband Erich, and sons Evan and Brady.

Annmarie Conway

Charlevoix Middle-High School

Charlevoix Public Schools

Annemarie Conway teaches AP US Government, psychology, sociology, American Government, and economics for Charlevoix Middle High School. She graduated from Kalamazoo College with her bachelors degree in political science. She earned her Masters of Education with an emphasis in History from Grand Valley State University. Throughout her teaching career she has worked with AP College Board as a reader, table leader and question leader for the US Government & Politics AP exam. She also sponsors Charlevoix’s Model United Nations program.

Jannan Cotto

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Education Department

An advocate of social and eco-justice, Jannan Cotto, Education Director for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, has worked in Indigenous Education for 9 years in both urban and reservation communities with the goal of contributing to the educational sovereignty, healing, and well-being of Indigenous people. She graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in inter-disciplinary studies with an emphasis in English and Education and a minor in Psychology. She is currently studying in an online Master’s program at Eastern Michigan University studying Social Foundations of Education with a concentration in eco-justice. She serves as the current Chair of the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Directors and serves on the Board of Regents for Bay Mills Community College. One of the focuses of her work includes developing Indigenous land-based education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners that emphasizes Indigenous perspectives, encourages relationships with land, and inspires critical thinking and critical action in our global community. She is currently working on curriculum development through partnerships with several districts in the Char-Em ISD and is supporting inter-tribal efforts to impact state-wide education standards changes in Michigan. She is also interested in how Indigenous scholarship and research move forward Indigenous resurgence in praxis and policy. She is a fan of the Oxford Comma.

Tami Cronce

Thomas Edison Elementary

Port Huron Area Schools

Tami received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan with a major in Language Arts and a minor in Social Studies. She obtained her Masters Degree from Marygrove College. She has taught for the Port Huron School District for 14 years, co-coaches an after school enrichment STEAM class, helps with the Running Club, and tutors K-2 students in her spare time. Recently, she was nominated for and accepted a position as active board member for the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund. Her passions include attending church, watching U of M ball, hiking, Jeep off-roading, and spending time with her husband Rob and 2 children, Paige and Cam.

Kelsey Donnolley

Coloma Elementary School

Coloma Public Schools

I graduated from GVSU with degrees in special education and elementary education. I began my career as an educator in Glendale, Arizona working with students with autism and coaching middle school girls flag football. I moved back to Michigan in the winter of 2016 and began working as an elementary resource teacher! When work isn’t keeping me busy, I am a big baseball and hockey fan and often you can find me at a sporting event.

Brian Dufort

Shepherd Public Schools

Odyssey MS/HS

Brian is originally from Midland, MI and is a graduate of Northern Michigan University. He has spent his entire teaching career at Odyssey Middle/High School, an alternative education program in the Shepherd Public School system. In 2001, his environmental studies class was one of seven programs from the United States and Canada to be chosen as a winner of the Sea World/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Award. Brian is also the Northern Conference director of the Michigan Alternative Athletic Association, a sports program for alternative education programs across the state.

Kelly Dutcher

Harbor Springs Public Schools

Harbor Springs High School

Kelly Dutcher teaches Economics, Civics, U.S. History, and College Readiness at Harbor Springs High School. Aside from teaching, she is also a Michigan Youth in Government advisor, and class of 2017 sponsor. Mrs. Dutcher is a graduate of Lake Superior State University where she received her BS in Social Studies and Secondary Education. She is currently working towards receiving her MA in American History and Government at Ashland University, and will spend a month this summer as a James Madison Memorial Fellow studying in Washington D.C. Kelly loves teaching at the high school level, and helping bring social studies to life for her students. She shares her life with her husband Jordan and three joyful girls: Daphne, 5; Audrey, 3; Meredith 2.

Carol BacakEgbo

Oakland University

6th Grade Content Editor, 3rd Grade Editor

Carol Egbo has more than 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, curriculum developer, staff development specialist, and social studies consultant. She is currently a special lecturer in the Teacher Development and Educational Studies Department at Oakland University, and a contract consultant for the Oakland Intermediate

School District. She has been project director for two federal Teaching American History Grants, and was the primary curriculum designer and writer for grades 2-6 of the Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum (MC3) Project. She has extensive experience in presenting professional development for teachers including summer institutes at University of California Los Angeles, institutes for the Michigan Department of Education, teacher networks,

national and state conferences, teacher seminars sponsored by Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Oakland University. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Michigan Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) Elementary Teacher of the Year Award, the MCSS Mentor Award, WDIV/Newsweek Teacher of the Year Award, and WXYZ Michigan Teacher of the Year Award.

Kimberly Eikenberry

Grand Haven High School

Grand Haven Area Public Schools

Kim has a B.A. in History and Social Studies and a M.A. in Educational Leadership, both from Western Michigan University. She has served in many roles during her thirteen years as an educator, including department chair, curriculum director, and administrator. Kim currently teaches World History and Economics at Grand Haven High School.

Sally Erickson

Livonia Public Schools

Cooper Upper Elementary

Sally has taught grades 3-6, as well as special education. She has served as a district literacy leader for many years and participated in the Galileo Leadership Academy in 2001-03. She is proud to be a teacher.

Mark Estelle

Laker School District

Elementary School

Mark earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University with a major in mathematics and a minor in child development. In addition to teaching, Mark is an adviser of the elementary underwater robotics team as well as the recycling club. When not teaching fourth grade at Laker Elementary, Mark enjoys many hobbies that involve the outdoors and sports.

Jenn Fairweather

Oakridge Schools

Oakridge Upper Elementary

Jenn has been an ‘Eagle Proud’ Oakridge Schools employee for 16 years. She also includes Lansdowne Primary School in Tilbury, England in her list of teaching adventures.

A self-professed ‘grammar geek’ and SAG member, she hopes to complete her Master’s in TESOL and a Bachelor’s in Mortuary Sciences.

Cindy Frakes

Indian Lake Elementary

Vicksburg Community Schools

Cyndi, a graduate of Vicksburg Community Schools, has spent much of her life in Vicksburg, MI. She pursued a career in Education obtaining her Undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Western Michigan University. For the past 23 years, she has been blessed to teach Kindergarten at Vicksburg’s Indian Lake Elementary, while continuously serving on the district’s Social Studies Curriculum Committee. It is her passion to teach Social Studies to young children. Cyndi brings history and geography to life for her students by sharing memories of growing up and living in the farming community. She received the Educator of the Year Award from Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau for her work in promoting the understanding, appreciation, and support of agriculture. In her free time, Cyndi loves traveling and antiquing with her husband John, and can always be found scrapbooking cherished memories of family and friends.

Sandy Freeland

McBain Elementary School

McBain Rural Agricultural School

Sandy is a full time teacher at McBain Elementary School in McBain Michigan. She has taught Kindergarten and Third Grade during her time there. In addition to classroom teaching she’s also provided technology professional development for the district. Outside of the school day she can be found learning from others in Twitter chats, participating in groups onfFacebook, and working on developing a coding club for her school.

Denise Gallemore

Marysville Public Schools

Gardens Elementary School

Denise Gallemore has been teaching elementary school for 24 years. She earned her Masters of Teaching Degree from Wayne State University & her undergraduate from Central Michigan University. Denise has taught at every grade level but most of her career ( 15 years) has been spent in 5th grade. She has taught 5th Grade Social Studies to all sections at Gardens School, a state-recognized Beating The Odds School as well as a Michigan Reward School. As well as teaching, Denise serves as a School Improvement Chair, Leadership Team, & works hard at Community Service projects with her students. She was a finalist for the Community Foundation Educator Award. Denise has been married for 29 years, has 2 grown married children & 1 adorable granddaughter.

Carol Gersmehl

Michigan Geographic Alliance

Central Michigan University

Cartographic Consultant

Carol Gersmehl is a map maker and teacher trainer. She worked in a census data research office, then taught cartography and Geographic Information Systems for 17 years at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2005, she became co director of the New York Center for Geographic Learning and co coordinator of the New York Geographic Alliance. While in New York, she also taught Advanced Placement World Geography and helped advise teachers at a K12 school in Queens. She still flies back occasionally to work with schools in New York, but now she is cartographic advisor, educational materials author, and teacher trainer for the Michigan Geographic Alliance.

Mike Halliwell

Shepherd High School

Shepherd Public Schools

Mike is the High School World History teacher at Shepherd High School in Shepherd Michigan. He has a Bachelors degree in history education from Saginaw Valley State University with minors in Political Science and Sociology. During his time at Shepherd Mike has served as the Model UN and boys golf coach. Mike has also been an item writer for Performance Assessments of Social Studies Thinking (PASST).

Matt Hamilton

East Jordan Public Schools

East Jordan Middle School

Matt grew up in Cadillac, MI. He holds a bachelor and masters degree from Michigan State University. He currently teaches middle school History and Geography. Matt started and advises a club at his school called the Shoe Club to inspire his students to Dream Big. His wife and two daughters enjoy traveling and spending time in the outdoors.

Eric Hemenway

Harbor Springs

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Eric Hemenway is the Director of Repatriation, Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Harbor Springs, Mi. As part of his work, Eric works with educators on providing historical resources and guidance in implementing those resources in creating lesson plans regarding native history in the United States, with a emphasis on the native communities in Michigan.

Susan Hejl

Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools

KND Elementary School

Susan has been a first grade teacher in the Kaleva Norman Dickson School District for 26 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University. Outside of school, Susan enjoys singing, gardening, exercising, kayaking and spending time on the lake.

Katie Hintz

Gladwin Public Schools

Gladwin High School

Katie is completing her seventh year as a teacher at Gladwin High School, where she has taught every Social Studies course available, including: American Government, Sociology, Current Events, World History, Economics, Social Problems in the United States, and Law. A graduate of Saginaw Valley State University’s Secondary Education Program, she majored in History, minored in Sociology and earned a Social Studies Endorsement. As Social Studies Department Chair, she was inspired to participate to the Open Book Project because of the disjointed resources that most economics teachers are forced to scrape together to create a captivating curriculum.

Currently, she is working on completing her Masters in Global History at with American Public University. Her final thesis on the Food Industry is due to be published September, 2015. Katie spends her time outside of the education world raising her two boys, Connor and Cole, with husband Adam Gradowski. As a family they enjoy exploring the outdoors and playing baskeball and volleyball together.

Tom Hinken

Montague Area Public Schools

Nellie B Chisholm Middle School

Tom teaches world geography and history at NBC Middle School in Montague. A graduate of the Defense Language Institute, Tom served as an Arabic Linguist in the U.S Air Force before receiving both bachelors and masters degrees from Grand Valley State University. He is currently pursuing Masters in Education Technolofy from MSU. Along with teaching Tom is also the advisor for the NBC Robotic club and the student leadership organization. When away from school Tom and his wife Kristin love to travel and spend time outdoors; biking, hiking, paddleboarding and taking photographs.

Whitney Holdwick

Harbor Beach Community Schools

Harbor Beach Middle School

Whitney Holdwick earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2010 from Central Michigan University with a focus in elementary education. She is currently working toward her Master’s degree. Holdwick has worked in the classroom for five years, teaching fifth and sixth graders. She is involved in many school committees and also spends her time coaching basketball. Apart from teaching, Holdwick enjoys spending her time with her family, which currently consists of a wonderful husband and adorable little boy.

Karyn Hutchinson

Sault Area Public Schools

Lincoln Elementary School

Karyn graduated summa cum laude from Lake Superior State University in 2003, where she received her bachelor degree in elementary education. She went on to earn her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Lake Superior State University. This is Karyn’s 12th year teaching in Sault Ste. Marie. She has 5 children and lives on Sugar Island with her husband Tim and her children.

Dave Johnson

Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District/Northern Michigan Learning Consortium

Project Manager - MI OPEN BOOK

Dave began his career teaching 8th grade United States History in Mesick Michigan. After almost a decade in the classroom he took a job at Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District as an Instructional Consultant for Social Studies. He is shared across 11 ISDs in Northern Michigan which make up the Northern Michigan Learning Consortium. It was here that he first began experimenting with the creation of digital text materials for classrooms in 2011. This side project became one of his primary job responsibilities during the 2014-15 school year as he took charge of the TRIG Assessment and Curriculum Activity and launched the MI Open Book Project. He lives in Cadillac Michigan with his wife Shannon (Also a teacher) and his twin daughters.

Beth Kastl

Floyd M. Jewett Elementary School

Mesick Consolidated Schools

Beth is an elementary teacher from Floyd M. Jewett Elementary school, where she has worked in a variety of grade levels including first and third grade.

Kelly Keckel

Lincoln Elementary School

Bangor Township Schools

Kelly teaches first grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Bangor Township Schools.

Troy Kilgus

Standish-Sterling Central High School

Standish-Sterling Community Schools

Troy Kilgus serves as the high school social studies chair at Standish-Sterling Central High School. In his eight years of teaching, he has taught various social studies courses including AP US History and multiple levels of French. Mr. Kilgus earned his undergraduate degree in French Education and his Masters in Teaching from Saginaw Valley State University.

Maureen Klein

Allen Park Public Schools

Bennie Elementary

Following a successful career in the corporate world, Maureen returned to college in 2005 to pursue a Master of Arts in Education at Wayne State University. Like many career changers, Maureen realized that teaching was her true passion. Following graduation, Maureen immediately put her early childhood ZA endorsement to use as a kindergarten teacher in the Allen Park Public Schools, later moving to grade four. Maureen is active in both social studies and science endeavors throughout the state serving on the board of the Michigan Center for Civic Education and a former presenter at the Michigan Science Teacher Association Conference. She was named 2013 Jim and Annette McConnell Elementary History Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Council for History Education. In the winter of 2013 Maureen returned to Wayne State, but this time as an adjunct faculty member and university supervisor for pre-student teacher candidates. Maureen was recently recognized as the Bennie Elementary Teacher of the Year as well as her after-school program being named Program of the Year. Maureen and her husband Michael have three children, Ellie, Sarah and John. In their spare time, the Klein family enjoys travel and camping.

Allyson Klak

Shepherd Middle School

Shepherd Public Schools

Bio Forthcoming

Denise Knapp

Wyandotte Public Schools

Washington Elementary

Teaching is a second career for me. I have been involved in many projects. Through the Michigan Economics Council I was a program presenter and a Crystal Apple recipient for Economics Education. I have been involved in Class A assessment writing and have participated in the new teacher training committee for writing. Currently teaching 5th grade, but have taught 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade as well. Masters in Education as an inclusion specialist. Married for 31 years, two adult children, and one granddaughter.

David Klemm

Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

7th Grade Editor

David Klemm is the Social Studies and Special Projects Consultant for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), serving 12 local school districts and numerous charters and private schools. While spending most of his time with the Social Sciences, he also works with Art, Music, World Language and Physical Education teachers. He has successfully directed two Teaching American History grants, coordinated We the People and Project Citizen programs, developed companion materials for the award winning film documenting African American

migration to the Muskegon area, “ Up from the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream ,” worked with community development partners including the Michigan Humanities Council’s Prime Time Family Reading Program,

made numerous state and national presentations and worked with individual schools and teachers on curriculum, instruction and assessment. Mr. Klemm is a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Muskegon Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and currently serves on the National Council for the Social Studies Board of Directors. Prior to his current position at the Muskegon Area ISD, Mr. Klemm taught high school U. S. History for 15 years and served 3 years as an assistant principal. He has taught courses at Muskegon Community College and Grand Valley State University. He earned his BA from Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois and his MA in History from Western Michigan University.

Joy Kooyer

West K-7

Holland Public Schools

Joy received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Wesleyan University in Early Childhood Education and her Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. She has always taught third grade and thinks it the best grade ever. She is the chairperson for the National Geographic Bee. Joy has been Holland Sentinel’s Teacher Of The Year and been chosen for WGVU’s, “Cool Teacher” award. She enjoys traveling. Her goal is to see all of the 50 state capitals and visit all of the MLB parks. Joy finds great pleasure in reading, scrapbooking and spending time with her husband, Jason and three children, Julia,12 Harrison, 9 and Jameson, 2.

Anne Koschmider

Cadillac High School

Cadillac Area Public Schools

Anne has been a social studies teacher at Cadillac High School since 2005. She has taught World History & Geography, AP World History, Psychology, AP Psychology, and History of the Rock and Roll Era with a particular interest in using instructional technology to engage students and promote literacy. In addition, she has served as the social studies department chair and a student council adviser. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alma College and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Walden University. Beyond the classroom, Anne enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors with her husband and children, Kellan and Abrielle.

Adam Lincoln

Ithaca Jr/Sr High School

Ithaca Public Schools

Adam began his teaching career at Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan where he taught US History, Global Studies, and AP World History. After 7 years, he moved back home to central Michigan to teach at Ithaca Public Schools. While his main charge has been teaching World History and starting the AP World History program, Adam also teaches 8th Grade History, US History, History in Popular Culture and all sorts of computer science classes. Adam coaches Model United Nations, and runs the Jumbotron at Ithaca Community Stadium during events. Adam has served as a member of the Michigan Council for the Social Studies for over a decade and has worked to unite his twin passions of Social Studies and effectively integrating technology into the classroom. Outside of school, Adam has served on the Content Advisory Committee, as a Social Studies item writer for the Department of Education, and worked for the PASST project. Adam teaches History and Social Studies methods classes at Alma College as adjunct faculty. Apart from the world of education, Adam enjoys spending time with his family especially traveling on new adventures.

Erin Luckhardt

Boyne City Middle School

Boyne City Public Schools

Erin is an 8th grade social studies teacher at Boyne City Middle School in Boyne City, MI. She formerly served as the district’s technology coach when they were integrating their 1:1 iPad initiative. Before teaching in Boyne City, she taught high school social studies in the Lansing area for 4 years. Erin has her master’s in Educational Technology and Educational Leadership, both from GVSU, and has an interest in effective integration of technology into the classroom for teachers as well as students.

Joe Macaluso

Elk Rapids Schools

Cherryland Middle School

Joe earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 2000 with a major in History concentrating on early United States History. He minored in Social Studies and earned his Certificate of Secondary Education. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2004 with a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching. During his career at Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids, MI, Joe has served as Social Studies department head, technology coach, student council advisor, student senate advisor, YMCA Michigan Youth in Government trip coordinator and volleyball coach. He is passionate about using technology in the classroom to engage and enrich student learning. Joe lives with his wife, Amanda, and his two daughters in Elk Rapids. As a family they love traveling and spending their summers outdoors at YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha.

Marilyn McCauley

Surline Elementary

West Branch Rose City Schools

After attending a wonderful 2 year experience with the amazing professors at Kirtland Community College, I continued to work toward a Bachelors of Science Degree with the wonderful professors at Central Michigan University, also obtaining a teaching certificate. My focused subjects at CMU were language arts and social studies. Michigan State University, with its outstanding professionals, is where I enjoyed working for my Masters Degree in Education. Learning is a continuous journey I treasure through our expert COOR District and Surline Elementary instructors. I also enjoy independent studies I have done traveling around Michigan with my terrific family who make life a daily joy.

Tami Morris

Thomas Edison Elementary

Port Huron Area Schools

I earned my bacehlor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Elementary Education with minors in elementary education, english, and science. My masters degree is in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. I have been teaching in Port Huron Area Schools for 26 years, I am a single mom of two children; Ashley and Matt. When I am not teaching I like to try my hand at photography, hang out with my kids,friends, or play with my two Yorkies; Elmer and Max.

Kim Noga

Ionia Public Schools

Ionia High School

Kim has a B.A. in History/ Social Studies and an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching, both from Michigan State University. For the past 14 years she has been employed at Ionia High School where she teaches Economics, U.S. History, and Humanitarian Studies. Her hobbies include reading and traveling the world.

Ann Pasino

Grosse Pointe Schools

Trombly Elementary

Ann is an educator for 21 years having taught grades first - sixth in numerous subject areas. Ann has a passion for teaching, especially teaching History. This passion has led to her being the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator 2007-2009 for Grosse Pointe Public Schools. In addition to teaching, Ann is the Child Study Identification Coordinator for GPPS. She is also a graduate of the Galileo Leadership Consortium while completing her Education Specialist in Leadership from Oakland University. Meanwhile, Ann has become an Adjunct Professor of History for Wayne County Community College. In addition to being an educator, Ann’s passions are to spend as much time Up North with her family and to travel to recharge!

LaRissa Paras

Greenville High School

Greenville Public Schools

LaRissa is an alumni of Central Michigan University and the State University of New York. She is a tenured teacher in New York and now in Michigan where she works and resides with her husband and two rambunctious boys. Currently she is teaching World History and Current Issues at Greenville High School. She and her husband founded LP Inspire, LLC to encourage young people to grow into their best selves. She is also the proud creator of The Lotus Project, a successful mentoring program to help young women become empowered and rise above adversity in a positive way. In her spare time she enjoys reading, yoga, and being outdoors.

Brandi Platte

Central Middle School

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools

Brandi Platte teaches Social Studies and Language Arts at Middle School Central in Macomb, Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Oakland University, and a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. She spends a great deal of time writing curriculum for the Macomb Intermediate School District and the National Parks Service. She is a sponsor for the National Junior Honor Society at her school, and in her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family,especially her two sons, Ethan and Ryan.

Dorothy Perry

Academic Services Coordinator

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Coming from a long line of Educators, Dorothy Perry has continued to follow in this direction with passion and commitment. The culmination of 25 years in the field of Education includes, Early Childhood Education with a focus on the whole child through self-led discovery and learning. Continuing as a Family/School Liaison and supporting parents with infant/toddler development. For the past 14 years, Dorothy has concentrated on building Indigenous Education programs for youth and community, including developing Land-based curriculum.

Ben Pineda

Haslett Middle School

Haslett Public Schools

MSU graduate - Go Green! Life is busy and life is good! Ben is a... teacher of 28 years, lead mentor teacher for the TE Social Studies department at MSU, workshop/conference professional development speaker, organization-skills tutor, writer, storyteller, V-ball and Ultimate player, fisherman, camper, cyclist, and MOST importantly, blessed with a loving wife, Meghan, and four amazing children, Emily, Matt, Conner, and Catherine.

Mark Pontoni

Boyne City Public Schools

Boyne City High School

After a long career running a business, I returned to the University of Michigan for my Masters and Certification and began teaching in Owosso 11 years ago. A marriage, a move north, and a couple of layoffs later, I now teach at Boyne City. I run a state-wide Model United Nations program attended by over 1000 students annually. I have also been an AP Reader in US Government and Politics, Comparative Government, and World History.

Andrea Raven

Foster Elementary School

Ludington Area Public Schools

Andrea Raven currently teaches 3rd grade at Foster Elementary in Ludington, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Albion College. While at Albion, she studied abroad in Spain. It was a positive experience that allowed her to immerse in the culture and education system. She is completing her seventh year of teaching and has taught both 5th and 3rd grades. Andrea serves as the Social Studies Department Chair at her school. She has earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum Instruction from Grand Valley State University. Outside of the education world, Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband, Dean Raven, and daughter Marie. As a family they enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.

Mike Radcliffe

Greenville High School

Greenville Public Schools

Mike Radcliffe is a native of South Lyon, Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Colorado State University, followed by a Masters of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Colorado. Over his 23 years of teaching students in Colorado and Michigan, he has taught Advanced Placement United States History, American Popular Culture, World History, World Geography, Sociology, and Economics. He currently serves as the department chair for the social studies department at Greenville High School, where he has taught the past 15 years. His previous textbook projects include serving as a teacher consultant for textbooks in US History and World Geography for Teachers Curriculum Institute. His interests include his wife of twenty-five years, three amazing children, mountain biking, and really bad puns.

Anthony Salciccoli

Clarenceville High School

Clarenceville Public Schools

Salciccioli has been teaching since 2001. Throughout these years, he has taught students from grades 6-12 U.S. History, Government, Sociology, Law, Big History, Philosophy and his present course in World History. During his tenure he coached football, wrestling and track and field. He received his B.A. in political science-prelaw from Michigan State University in 1996, a second B.A. in History from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2001 and his Master in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in 2006. Salciccioli served as the President of the Michigan Council for the Social Studies from 2012-2014 and has been awarded the McConnell History Educator Award in 2014, the Fishman Prize Honor Roll in 2015 and the Gilder Lehrman Michigan History Teacher of the Year in 2016. He is a lifetime resident of Metro Detroit where he attempts to live with joy and purpose along with his wife and three children. His class page can be accessed by clicking: http://tinyurl.com/j3bue6s and his Twitter handle is @SauceWH

Angie Samp

Thunder Bay Junior High

Alpena Public Schools

Angie has enjoyed teaching many grades in Alpena Public Schools over the last 13 years. Her passion lies in teaching history to 8th graders. Angie has a Bachelor of Arts in Group Social Studies from Grand Valley State University and a Masters in Education from Marygrove College. When she’s not teaching, Angie enjoys many outdoor adventures including camping, traveling, and attending sporting events with her husband Gene, and sons Avery and Eli.

Vickie Shearer

Holland West K-7

Holland Public Schools

I love my family! My husband, Tom, and I have two sons, Chris and Tim, one daughter in law, Amber, and one future daughter in law, Alina. We love walking on the beach of Lake Michigan from our house. We can often be seen riding bikes, canoeing, or hiking trails. We are trying to visit as many National Parks as we can. We feel very blessed to live in the greatest country of the world!

Allison Simon

Biography coming soon!

Sara Smith

Laker School District

Laker Elementary School

Sara is a fifth grade teacher at Laker Elementary. She graduated from Laker High School in 2007 and from Saginaw Valley State University in 2011. Sara is currently working on her Masters degree through SVSU.

She was hired by Lakers in February of 2012 and has been there ever since. She runs several clubs for her school including recycling, dance, and underwater robotics.

Outside of school, Sara is involved with several activities. She runs her own business and recently bought a house. Sara spends a lot of her time working on her house and serving on different community boards. In her spare time, you can find Sara reading, playing piano, or spending time on the beach!

David Soderquist

Three Rivers Public Schools

Three Rivers Middle School

For the Past 11 years David has taught 6-8 grade Social Studies for Three Rivers Middle School. He serves as Department Head, School Improvement Member and Social Studies Rep for his area. Over the past few years he has completed his Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and become a state recognized Instructional Coach.

Tom Stoppa

Alpena High School

Alpena Public Schools

Tom earned his Bachelors of Science in Education from CMU and his Master in Education from Marygrove. Tom taught at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s before moving to Alpena. Tom has worked in the Alpena district for the past 20 years teaching World History, Advanced Placement European History, Current Events, Michigan/Alpena History., and United States History. During his tenure in Alpena, Tom has served as School Improvement Chair, Social Studies Department Chair, and History Club Adviser. He is a member of the National Council for the Social Studies. Outside of the school day, Tom volunteers with the Water and Woods Boy Scout Field Service Council and the Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC). In his spare time he enjoys camping and traveling.

Amy Striegle

Hamilton Community Schools

Hamilton Middle School

Amy has been teaching 7th grade Social Studies and Economics at Hamilton Middle School for 17 years. She has a BA in Geography/ Social Studies and a Masters Degree in Middle School Education both from Western Michigan University. She is also a PASST assessment participant and the Social Studies Department Chair. When not in the classroom she enjoys traveling with her husband Dan.

Nick Vartanian

Holland High School

Holland Public Schools

I teach World History and A.P. World History at Holland High School. I earned my bachelor’s degree in History from Alma College in 2001 and earned my master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2011. I am the SLIC (Student Leaders Initiating Change) Coordinator at Holland High and serve as Chairperson of the Reading Now Network for Holland High. I am very interested in Project Based Learning and technology integration in the classroom. I was a writer for the Performance Assessments of Social Studies Thinking (PASST) Project. In addition, I have participated in the IChallengeU program, working with students, civic, and community leaders to develop solutions to real problems as posed by area businesses in the greater Holland area.

Lisa Voss

Holland Public Schools

East K-7

Lisa Voss has been teaching at Holland’s East K-7 since 1993 working with students in grades 5-8. She enjoys teaching adolescents to be global thinkers in her geography and world studies classes. Teaching in Holland has been fulfilling and challenging in so many ways for Mrs. Voss. She studied education and trained at Michigan State University and then earned her masters degree at Grand Valley State University. She starting teaching elementary social studies content and methods to aspiring teachers for Hope College’s Education Department in 2010. Lisa and her husband Jon have four sons and they live in Zeeland.

Dustin Webb

Lake City High School

Lake City Area Schools

Dustin graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with degrees in history and English. Since then, he has been teaching US History and directing the school play and forensics program at Lake City High School in Lake City, Michigan.

Outside of teaching, Dustin is an avid cyclist and competes in amateur mountain bike races. He is also an avid sailor and enjoys spending his summers in Northport, MI where he teaches sailing to young sailors. Dustin lives in Lake City with his wife and fur child (dog) Otis.

Brian Weaver

Big Rapids Public Schools

Big Rapids High School

Mr. Weaver has been teaching high school social studies for fourteen years. After one year at New Directions Alternative High School in the Big Rapids Public Schools he moved to Big Rapids High School where he has taught US History & Geography, American Government, World History & Geography, Economics, Geography, Psychology, and Modern Social Problems. Before becoming a high school teacher, Mr. Weaver worked in higher education as a development officer and administrator. As Director of Development for Ferris State University he oversaw fund raising activities for Kendall College of Art and Design and served as Director of the Kendall Foundation. In ten years of service at Northern Michigan University he served in a variety of development posts including Director of Development Research and Director of Annual Giving. Mr. Weaver caught the teaching bug during his service in the Peace Corps on the central Philippines island of Leyte where he taught in a two-room school house. His many interests include reading, woodworking, and home improvement projects. Mr. Weaver is most proud of his family which includes his wife of twenty years, Lenore, and daughters Samantha and Gina Rose. Lenore currently serves as Big Rapids Middle School Principal and Director of Special Education for the Big Rapids Public Schools.

Susan Welch

Fenton Area Public Schools

State Road Elementary

Susan Welch currently teaches 4th grade at State Road Elementary in Fenton, Michigan. She has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College with additional graduate work done at Arizona State University. While at CMU, Susan traveled to Perth in Western Australia to study their use of integration to deliver instruction and meet the curriculum standards. Upon graduation, she started her teaching career in Arizona teaching in the Casa Grande and Kyrene school districts. During this time, Susan taught in a fully inclusive elementary classroom with students with many diverse learning needs including monolingual and bilingual Spanish speaking students, as well as various physical and mental challenges. She also was able to learn about the many different Native American cultures represented within her schools. Susan has taught both 3rd and 4th grade in the Fenton Area Public Schools for the past 11 years and also serves as Fenton’s Elementary Social Studies Department Chair. In addition, she teaches Social Studies courses to other educators at the Genesee Intermediate School District. Susan has been awarded the Walmart Teacher of the Year Award and has been a Michigan Teacher of the Year nominee.

Heather Wolf

Shepherd Public Schools

Shepherd High School

Heather has taught Social Studies at Shepherd High School for 16 years. She currently teaches American History and Law, but has also taught Modern American History, Civics, Current Events, and History of American Wars in the past. Heather is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree, as well as a Master of Arts in History. She also teaches Social Studies Methods and Pre-Student Teaching courses at CMU. Heather also is the chair of the Social Studies Department at Shepherd High School and is involved in many other facets of the school and community. Heather was named 2009 High School Educator of the Year by the Michigan Council for the Social Studies. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.

Melissa Wozniak

Rogers City High School

Rogers City Area Schools

A proud graduate of both Posen High School and Saginaw Valley State University. #WECARDNIALS I have a love of teaching, learning, reading, family time, traveling, and of LIFE! I love using technology to keep my students engaged, and to keep track of my family members escapades. I hope to someday achieve my ultimate goal of competing on Jeopardy, winning at least one day and making Alex Trebek say my name!!

Kymberli Wregglesworth

Onaway Area Consolidated Schools

Onaway High School

Kymberli has a BA in history and political science from Alma College, a MA in education from Michigan State University, and will be completing her MA in American History and Government from Ashland University this spring upon completion of her thesis on suffragist and equal rights activist Alice Paul. She was named a James Madison Fellow in 2011 and was chosen as the Michigan Council for the Social Studies High School Educator of the Year in 2015. Kymberli returned to her high school alma mater where she teaches Civics, World History, Current Events, Women’s Studies, and World Cultures, as well as serving as National Honor Society adviser and executive director of the Miss Onaway Scholarship Program. When not doing history geek stuff, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her husband Keith, and daughter Kacie Jae.

Eric Wrzesinski

Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools

Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School

Eric is a social studies teacher at Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School where he teaches 7th grade world history, 8th grade U.S. history, and AP U.S. History. He also serves as social studies department head, was a TRIG coach, worked on the schools strategic plan, and is a member of the school improvement team. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University and grew up near Lansing, MI. He currently resides in Portland, MI with his beautiful wife who he enjoys travelling and spending time with.

Steve Zigray

Concord Community Schools

Concord Middle School

Steve Zigray is a 6th grade teacher. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University and a Masters Degree in K-12 Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Honors Steve has been awarded are the 2001 Junior Achievement Educator of the Year and he was nominated for Jackson Magazine’s, Educator of the year in 2014. He has also coached high school and middle school sports, worked on various school improvement committees, wrote the 6th grade Common Assessment tests for Jackson County ISD and is an active member in the community as well as the PTO. He lives in southeast Jackson County with his beautiful wife and three fantastic daughters.