Nebraska Teachers Sharpen History Knowledge

Fifteen middle and high school teachers from Nebraska took part June 7-18 in a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to enhance their ability to teach American history.

A $931,935 Teaching American History grant funded the program, called the Nebraska Partnership for American History Education.

The grant was made to the Nebraska Educational Service Unit 7, consisting of the counties of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Merrick, Nance, Platte and Polk. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln worked in partnership with service unit 7. Teachers from across the state participated in the program.

The focus of the partnership is on teacher development of knowledge and skills in teaching the entirety of American history in exciting and engaging ways to raise student achievement. This is the third year of the program in Nebraska.

Teachers traveled to Arizona, where they visited the Four Corners area, including Canyon de Chelly National Monument and the Hopi Cultural Center in Second Mesa. The Arizona section of the trip was conducted by UNL history professors John Wunder and Victoria Smith. In sessions on the UNL campus, teachers studied environmental history with Andrew Graybill, assistant professor of history at UNL.

Following is a list by school of teachers who participated:

Clarkson Public Schools: Mitzi Vavrina.

Crete High School: Mary Conway.

David City Aquinas Middle School: Ann Heermann.

David City High School: Eric Wicherski.

David City Middle School: Lisa Bales.

East Butler Public Schools: Dale Nielsen.

Humphrey Public Schools: Troy Mach, Barb Kelly.

Humphrey St. Francis Schools: Tanya Niedbalski, Deana Policky.

Ogallala Middle School: Laurel Kennedy.

Raymond Central Schools: Kara George, Dale Rasmussen.

Rising City Public Schools: Brent Frauen.

Schuyler Grade Schools: Bill Policky.

Twin River Public Schools: Sandra Heth.

Valentine Rural High School: Tom Scott.

Winside Public Schools: Michelle Evans.

CONTACT: Susan Wunder, Professor, Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, (402) 472-3346