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Interview Questions: Chapter 1-4
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Wall in the Minds: An Oral History of the Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
Oral history is the dynamic process of gathering and preserving historical perspectives through recorded interviews. This method of historical inquiry gives a voice to people who have been hidden from history and provides researchers with a forum to speak with history face to face.
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin Wall Oral History Project is the culmination of the efforts of fifty students. Each of the students in my two tenth grade history classes played a role in the creation of this book. Thirty students conducted, recorded and transcribed extensive interviews with Germans who lived in a divided country. They interviewed individuals from various backgrounds and encountered a diversity of experiences and perspectives. In all, their interviews amount to over 250 pages of raw qualitative data (the full text of the interviews is available at this page). Adding to this data bank, four students took on the responsibility of gathering quantitative information. These quantitative researchers, armed with the knowledge that numbers can speak volumes, provided the charts, graphs and maps used in the book. Another four students compiled archival photographs of divided
It has been my responsibility, as the editor of the John F. Kennedy School Berlin Wall Oral History Project, to facilitate a student-directed effort by encouraging and coordinating their efforts. This book is for and by my students and my objective was to support them in bringing forth the voices of those who stood in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. What stands before the reader is the culmination of the efforts of conscientious, compassionate and curious tenth grade students.
You are encouraged to offer feedback in the “comments” link situated on the bottom of this page.
Alaina Mack documented the processes that we engaged in as we wrote this book. In this video documentary, she captures the challenges that we faced and some of the lessons that we learned:
In addition to documenting the making of our book, Alaina quoted our transcribed interviews as the basis for an historical documentary, titled “Just a Day”, which offers valuable insights into life in a divided city and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
On 30 April 2008, we held a book release seminar for all those involved in this process. This gathering served the dual functions of celebrating the release of our book and commemorating the experiences of those who lived in a divided Berlin. We had a panel of interviewees who joined us to elaborate on their experiences.
While Alaina was filming, Chasity Crisp, who contributed to the photos used in the book, took pictures. You can view her photo montage here
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Units of Study:
Laying the Foundation: Introduction to Comparative Politics
The United Kingdom
The Russian Federation
The People’s Republic of China
The Islamic Republic of Iran
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
United Mexican States
Supranational Institutions
AP Review
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Politics in the United States
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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
The letters of recommendation below have been scanned and imported for the convenience of prospective employers. Original versions are available upon request. The authors of these letters invite you to contact them for further perspective
Dr. Thomas Reale, Principal of the John F. Kennedy School
Dr. Walter Peterson, Social Studies Department Chair at the John F. Kennedy School
Shirley Davis, Director of the Benjamin Franklin International School
Daniel McKee, Principal of the Benjamin Franklin International School
Rita Fischer, Social Studies Department Chair at Grayslake Community High School
Dr. Laurie Kimbrel, Director of Programs at Grayslake Community High School
Dr. Douglas Domeracki, Principal of Grayslake Community High School
Dr. Michael Riggle, Principal of Glenbrook North High School
Dr. Richard Rosholt, Social Studies Supervisor at Glenbrook North High School
Scott Williams, my cooperating teacher and later my esteemed colleague at Glenbrook North High School
William Siavelis, my university liaison while student teaching at Glenbrook North High School
Dr. Bruce Field, Associate Professor of History and Secondary Teacher Certification Coordinator at Northern Illinois University
HONORS AND AWARDS
The Patrick J. White Memorial Scholarship, voted upon by fellow students, and approved by a panel of professors, is an honor bestowed upon one college senior who exhibits outstanding potential as history teacher.
One of my Golden Apple Award Nomination certificates.
OTHER MATERIALS
My teaching certificate with endorsements in World History, United States History, Sociology, and Psychology for Grades 6 – 12 (valid until 30 June 2015)
My undergraduate transcript and my graduate transcript
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This is a forum to post articles and to share ideas about my historical and political interests. I hope to provide a valuable resource for my students and to contribute to the marketplace of ideas.
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