Change of Seasons

Its really nice as a teacher when you get to interact with former students as they become adults. I am most fortunate to have a former student who now lives in our school community and who is a Warden for the Maine Warden Service. He also has star appeal since he has been featured several times on the Animal Planet TV show "North Woods Law".

(I don't think this is him, but he looks a bit like this Warden and this is the type of stuff they do as featured on North Woods Law. (Photo Credit: North Woods Law)

Ethan Buuck is now a Game Warden and has returned to my Ethics class the last two years to talk about Law Enforcement and Ethics. This is actually a huge topic, so there is only so much he can get into in one class. He does a great job of raising interesting points and provoking questions form the students. My students always report finding his presentation interesting. I appreciate his willingness ot make time to come into the classroom just before hunting season starts. He is one of 4 guest speakers I have lined up. I also have a nurse, an attorney with Death Penalty experience, and someone from the Maine Ethics Commission to discuss Ethics in Politics and Elections. Its always awesome anytime you can get guest speakers. Students respond differently to a different adult, and they can more easily apply their learning to the real world by seeing adults whose jobs are affected by ethical considerations.

(Warden Ethan Buuck speaking to my class)

Last month I announced my acceptance into the Understanding Sacrifice program sponsored by the American Battle Monuments Commission and National History Day. Just after that, the plaque to for th emonument dedicated to Lewis Frelan Goddard arrived. I made contact with a local company and got on their list so sometime over th enext month or two they will attach the plaque to th emonument and it will be complete.

I was pleasantly surprised to be contacted by a local newspaper about my acceptance into the program. the Kennebec Journal has covered our work on telling the stories of Maine soldiers buried in Europe previously, but I wasn't expecting it for my acceptance into the program. Imagine my shock to find out they featured an article about me on the front page pf the KJ when it was published! Needles to say, I received many well wishes from friends, family, former and current students. I even received copies of the paper from students whose parents had saved it for me. I appreciate all of the kind words and support. I am excited about this program and have already had 2 contacts from local families with more stories to tell of soldiers buried in Europe. This is such a special project for me that words fail me. My grandfather was in the Pacific during the War, and I always heard from both he and my grandmother about that time in history and how it affected the people who lived then. I only wish they had lived to see our work. I can't wait to dig into this work and share it with my students. Next week I am headed to DC to kickoff our program. More to come on this topic!

My students are working on a variety of topics in my classes. We are tackling sensation and perception in AP Psychology, the Industrial Revolution in US History classes, and we have begun watching Schindler's List in History v. Hollywood. AP Psychology students completed a "Zombie Menu" to demonstrate understanding of the functions of parts of the brain in a fun activity for October. This came from the highly valuable AP Psychology Facebook group that has preserved my sanity as I teach this class for the first time ever this year!

Last Friday was the Maine Council for the Social Studies annual conference. For less than a year, I have served as Vice President of the Council after serving on the Board for four years previously. Our former President, Glenn Nerbak, stepped down after many years of keeping the Council going. He has been replaced by the equally wonderful Kate Sheldon. It has been a great professional pleasure for me to work with this wonderful Board. Sue Lahti from the Maine Geographic Alliance served as Chair of the Conference Committee and worked tirelessly to organize the Conference. After a year of work, it all came together in a wonderful day of professional development with about 120 Social Studies Educators from around the State.

(MCSS Board memebers with Jenny Buccos)

I was most fortunate to meet our keynote speaker on Twitter! Jenny Buccos participates in the same #sschat I partake in on Monday evenings. Jenny has given TED talks and won numerous awards. She generously waived her speaking fee to come to our conference and discuss the importance of global education. She also touted her Project Explorer Website with free videos and lesson plans. It was quite fantastic and inspiring!

(Jenny Buccos)

In addition to our keynote, we had several other teachers who gave awesome presentations! With the vendors and fantastic lasagna lunch it really was a fantastic day! I learned so much and I was somewhat distracted by the logistics I was helping with. I can only imagine how much most folks came away with!

(Senator Angus King was one of 3 Congresspersons who gave a personal message about the importance of Social Studies to the attendees)

(President Kate Sheldon)

The next two weeks will be very busy, but very interesting! After a few days in DC, I will be back in school for two days before heading to New Orleans and the National Council for the Social Studies Conference. Its good to be busy sometimes!