Meet the Participants, Week 1
Jillian Budz
About Jillian: I am in my 7th year teaching. I currently teach AP Human Geography, Civics, and Consumer Economics, but I've also taught US and World History. When I am not teaching, I love to travel, attend sporting events and concerts, and hang out with my family.
Jim Byrd
About Jim: Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Retired from the Army. Ran my own Bait and Tackle shop for 12 years. Dedicated Social Studies teacher of 5 years at a Charter School.
Tamasine Ellis
About Tamasine: Coming soon!
Sterling Gardner
About Sterling: I am an 8th grade history teacher at William P. Hobby Middle School in San Antonio, Texas. This is my first year teaching professionally, and so far so good.
Amanda Gaines
About Amanda: I have taught American History for the last 29 years in the same classroom in Southern Kentucky. I look forward to working with other teachers from around the country to learn more about the mill industry and its impact on America.
Maria Hunter
About Maria: I teach 8th grade social studies in Wakefield, RI and have been a middle school teacher for 26 years. I began my career in Seattle, Washington. I am a graduate of the University of Kansas and the University of Rhode Island. I am married with two kids and two dogs, Chloe and Sunny. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crafts, genealogy, hiking, and dance.
Tonya Janicke
About Tonya: I am entering year 28 of teaching and will be teaching 7th grade Geography in 2022-23. My maternal grandfather and all of his siblings worked in the Cannon Mills in York, SC; he later would go on to work at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company and become its supervisor. My Paternal grandparents and great-grandparents worked the mills in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill.
Nathaniel Johnson
About Nathaniel: I went into teaching after earning a B.A. in Economics from Furman University and a Master's of Secondary Social Studies Education at Old Dominion University. While I began my career as a public middle school history teacher, I have since taught secondary history and economics at the middle and high school level in the public, private and boarding school environment from Carolina to Connecticut.
Amber Marriott
About Amber: I am currently the technology teacher in a specialized district for students with disabilities. I have taught for 12 years, including middle and elementary school. I've taught homeroom, social studies, and technology, however my passion lies in teaching social studies. I received my Bachelors in history and I enjoy using that to teach daily.
Ashley Noe
About Ashley: Hi everyone! I have taught early American History to teenagers for 10 years now. I live in rural Kentucky where the majority of students identify with a culture of poverty, which can be very hard to combat. Despite this, I love teaching and instilling a passion for history within my students.
Pam Rickman
About Pam: I love to learn new things and share them with my family (husband, son, daughter, son-in-law, two grandsons), friends, and students. To de-stress, I walk, swim laps, pray, read, and bake. I have been accompanying middle school students up Bloom's taxonomy for 28 years in my social studies classes.
Lisa Smith
About Lisa: I teach 8th grade U.S. History in Grapevine, TX and am a James Madison Fellow (TX 2016). I've been to and stayed overnight in all 50 states and am working on U.S. capitals, while always traveling to see as many countries and their history as I can. I have taught for 22 years.
George Stevens
About George: I am a Spartanburg, SC native who loves travel, history, and hiking. I teach 8th grade South Carolina history.
Michael Streeter
About Mike: Hi! I am Mike Streeter from Bowdoinham, Maine and I have been teaching now for 34 years at Maranacook Community High School. When not teaching I enjoy disc golfing, hiking with my family and our dog, swimming in the lakes and ocean of Maine, biking, and reading all kinds of books. I originally come from Dalton, Massachusetts where Crane and Company make the paper that U.S. currency is printed on.
Julia Wiersema
About Julia: Born and raised in California, I teach 8th grade U.S. History in Oakland. I have taught English, history and music for over 20 years. I have two grown children, a long term partner and a dog.
Kendra Wilson-Ellis
About Kendra: Ms. Kendra Wilson-Ellis is a South Carolina native who grew up in the Low Country region. Currently, she’s a social studies/ history teacher at Timberland High School “Early College Program”, Saint Stephen, SC. Ms. Wilson-Ellis enjoys reading history, autobiographies, traveling and learning about her Gullah/Geechie heritage.
Quanta Wyatt
About Quanta: Lover of family, books and all things chocolate.
Katharine Zamarra
About Katharine: Katharine Zamarra teaches 7th Grade Social Studies in Weaverville, NC. She's a former participant of NEH, Gilder Lerhman and Fulbright-Hayes workshops and has taught internationally in China and Thailand.
At A Glance
