Author, Professor (Emerita),Presenter, Educator Abroad
AUTHOR RESEARCHER PROFESSOR (EMERITA) SPORTS EDUCATION CONSULTANT
(Photo): Candle activity with former students…now, teachers.
ABOUT ME
I was born on a USAF Base in D.C. Perhaps that set me on a path to teach history, discover, and learn cultural life ways through ethnographic research and immersion. I believe in lifelong learning and teaching through experience: doing, listening, immersing (myself and students) in projects, international communities, primary source interviews and research that changes thinking, stretches your cultural rubber band, and imparts lifelong lessons.
I am a student-centered teacher educator/researcher. Emerita Associate Education Professor, Northern Arizona University, Faculty Associate at The University of Texas Arlington, Arizona State University, and Manhattanville College.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I coined the term, "Potholder Topics," two decades ago in published article (2007), book (2010) book chapter (2015). Thousands of former students, now teachers across 16 states and four countries, recognize its' significance and how to teach with sensitivity.
My research interests include Teacher Education, Education Policy, Visual Art: From a Kids' Point of View, Ethnographic Immersion, Personal Narratives that Teach historical events through primary sources "Ripple Effect Project."
INFLUENCERS
ERNEST MICHEL "ERNIE" neighbor, friend, mentor, teacher, Holocaust Survivor (pictured on left and below) chronicled the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials under the byline, 'Auschwitz survivor #104995'). Ernie shared his life experiences and artifacts with me in our condo clubhouse, and then with teachers and community members from Navajo Nation to Phoenix Metro area. Ernie was particularly eager to meet teachers. His lessons: "I never gave up hope at Auschwitz," and eye-witness accounts in his own voice, must continue and I promised him, that I would do so.
(Ernest Michel 1923 -2016)
INFLUENCERS
MSG ROBERT COSBY (USARMY) was a friend and colleague who shared stories while coaching me during workouts in the weight room at a boy's school in CT. MSGT Cosby served our country in World War II (segregated U.S. Army) and was selected to the U.S. Army Honor Guard at The Nuremberg Trials. MSG Cosby served in Korea, Panama, and Vietnam before he met me as a fellow teacher for 12 years in CT. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
There's no "Influencer" who can hold a candle to these two men, who met each other by chance, and mentored me decades later.
INFLUENCERS
Margherita Bartola Fray's name was changed to Marisa on her identification papers. As a teen, she served for two years as a staffeta of Gruppi di difesa della donna under the direction of Ada Gobetti, one of the founders of the female partisans in Torino (Italy) during WWII. Margherita, who turned 97 on July 8th, shared that she did what she did to "save Italy. I wasn't afraid of dying - it was all around me. " Her determination, courage, and willingness to persist offers inspiration to audience members - especially high school and university students - who hear her story. She is an artist, a friend, and influencer. "Decide to keep making it. Every time I had a problem, I painted a picture. Remember, be different than leaders we've had/have. Make the world cleaner, kinder, nicer, good."
See article on Publication's page.
Photo Gallery
Ernie Michel's book, Promises to Keep
Ernie Michel shares the date/assigned numbers of his own transport that arrived at Auschwitz on March 3, 1943.
Ernie Michel bio on book back cover
Ernie inscribed this message on my copy of his book
Robert Cosby, US Army Honor Guard at Nuremberg Trials in Germany
