Josha Sietsma Named 2022 Lowell Milken Center Fellow

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Josha Sietsma, a teacher at Corderius College in Amersfoort, Netherlands. Josha teaches Social and Political Sciences, Holocaust Studies and Classic Japanese literature. He is also head of the Humanities department. Josha arrived in Fort Scott on June 26^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Josha Sietsma is a high school teacher at Corderius College in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. The last ten years, he has organized and taught study trips related to the Holocaust. With a personal connection (family members were murdered in Dachau), he takes his students to former extermination camps, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Dachau and Bergen Belsen. One aspect that highlights his classrooms is the use of books. Through classic stories, beautifully written lines and a good cover, books have the power to connect a learning community.

Characteristic to the work of Josha Sietsma is the interdisciplinary aspect. His last project connects the Nebraskan State Capitol with Philosophy of Architecture and the origin and validation of Human Rights. Important in all his teaching and work is the continuing call for articulation of underlying values. Nebraska has had his attention since he read a small article on the Sandhills in the early nineties, and he dreams to one day live (in) the Good Life.

Outside of his professional education field, Josha owns a small publishing company that specializes in historical baseball scorebooks, stickers and lapel pins. He is also the founder of two foundations: a thinktank serving local politicians by providing research and the JAS-san foundation. The latter is a foundation to promote the use of Classic Japanese literature in the classroom.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “We are extremely excited to have Josha as a member of our 2022 group of Lowell Milken Center Fellows. His vast experiences as an outstanding educator in the Netherlands, a leader in Holocaust education, and an expert in Japanese literature bring new dimensions to our knowledge base. It is a certainty that we will all gain much from the opportunity to have Josha on our team.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Ben Nguyen, an Automation Technology and Robotics Teacher/Coach at Sunrise Mountain High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ben Nguyen arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Ben Nguyen, an eighth-year high school science and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Sunrise Mountain High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a 2019 Nevada Milken Educator. Ben works diligently to create pathways to career certification, gainful employment, and academic access for his students through his many engagements within his local and state communities. He actively participates in many events throughout each school year. These include his students’ participation in local STEAM competitions, his presentations on technology and research at conventions, frequent volunteering in the community, and leading workshops to teach and mentor other students.

Throughout his career as a teacher, Ben has been keenly involved with numerous organizations in the industries for which he prepares his students and with many different educational institutions. His efforts include working diligently as a teacher advisor with the Tesla K-12 Investment in Nevada on workforce development and education programs in 2019. He also serves as a board member in numerous nonprofit organizations to create opportunities for all students and community members through learning programs and activities each year. Ben works tirelessly to advance the capacity of his school and state to meet the challenges of rapidly changing industries, including his focus on advanced manufacturing through the building of his school’s program. In his free time, Ben enjoys rock climbing, reading nonfiction, and tinkering in his advanced manufacturing workshop.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Ben will be an asset to our 2022 LMC Fellows team. His vast experiences in the areas of STEAM education have made invaluable contributions in preparing students for entering today’s workforce. We know his expertise will enrich the experiences of all of our Fellows this year.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world

throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Sean Griffin, a United States History teacher at Brambleton Middle School in Ashburn Virginia. Sean Griffin arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Sean Griffin, a seventh grade US History teacher, is completing his second year at Brambleton Middle School in Ashburn, Virginia. The 2021-22 school year was his 18^th year as a teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools and his 20^th year as an educator. He spent his first 16 years teaching fifth graders at Belmont Station Elementary School, also in Ashburn. In 2010, he was named a Milken National Educator. Sean has been a consistent presenter and mentor at the annual Teachers of Promise Institute, which honors preservice teachers as they enter the profession.

Sean has been trained in Personalized Learning and Project Based Learning and strives to incorporate these educational platforms into his daily teaching to inspire critical thinking and help students connect historical topics and themes to their daily lives. This fall, Sean will begin his first year as the Subject Area Lead Teacher for the Social Sciences and Global Studies department at Brambleton Middle School. He hopes to work with other departments throughout the school to develop interdisciplinary, authentic learning challenges for the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade Brambleton Bears. Sean spent eleven years as an assistant varsity baseball coach and now coaches his own kids in softball and baseball.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Sean’s experience with Project Based Learning make him a perfect fit for our LMC Fellows team. We will look to his input and expertise as we encourage our teachers to help their students discover Unsung Heroes and develop projects to relate their stories.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world

throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Lana Sawalha, a history teacher at Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, California. Lana Sawalha arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Lana Sawalha is a high school history teacher at Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, CA, where she brings her experience living abroad to connect with her students and create culturally responsive lessons. She builds classroom community through both flexible seating and intentional scaffolding of collaborative discussion. In her time at OCSA, Lana has focused on curriculum development for Global Studies and piloted two new classes this year, Ethnic Studies and Comparative Government. In these classes, she used the tenants of differentiated curriculum to improve the accessibility of academic rigor for all her students.

Lana connects with teachers beyond her school site in order to innovate both her curriculum and instruction. Lana has been awarded two professional development grants at OCSA totaling $1460, and last summer, she was accepted to the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Summer 2021 Institute on a full scholarship. She is most interested in lesson design to enhance student engagement and foster equitable learning, especially noting the challenges students are facing during post-pandemic learning. Lana also supports student achievement beyond the classroom as an advisor to both the Model United Nations and National History Day clubs. When not in school, Lana is a fitness instructor, avid concert-goer, and Down syndrome advocate.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Lana is an innovative teacher, willing to accept challenges to foster the best learning experiences for students. As a member of our group of 2022 Fellows, she will be a great resource for all of our educators as they seek to use Unsung Heroes throughout history as positive role models for young people today.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Brian Allman, former middle school social studies teacher and current principal of Rock Cave Elementary School in Rock Cave, West Virginia. Brian Allman arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Brian Allman is a nationally recognized public school teacher and administrator from Buckhannon, West Virginia. In 2019, Allman was recognized with West Virginia’s Milken Educator Award also known as the “Oscars of Teaching.” Mr. Allman was also selected as a member of the West Virginia State Journal Generation Next: 40 under 40 and received the Young Alumni Achievement Award at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2020. Allman is a member of the West Virginia State Superintendent’s Education Advisory Team, iCivics National Educator Network, and National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council.  He is also a Retro Report Teacher Ambassador and an executive board member of the West Virginia Council for Social Studies. Allman participates on the West Virginia Courts Learning Center Education committee, does consulting work for Teacher Created Materials, and has served on several other statewide task forces and committees in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education.

Brian builds relationships with students, challenging them to set and exceed their own academic and personal goals.  Students look to him for guidance long after leaving his classroom and school. He earned a bachelor’s in secondary education in 2007 from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a master’s in educational leadership in 2015 from Marshall University. Outside of school, he enjoys traveling, history, and spending time with his friends and family. He is looking forward to being the first ever Lowell Milken Center Fellow from West Virginia.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “We look forward to working with Brian in our Fellows program this year. His experience with motivating students and developing positive relationships in the classroom, along with his educational leadership skills, make him a great resource for our team.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world

throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas has awarded its 2022 Fellowship to 11 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, the six fellows for June 19 – 24 were given the key to the city. (Five more Fellows will arrive on June 26^th.)

The Fellows honored this week were Brian Allman from Virginia, Jaime Danen from Wisconsin, Libya Doman from Virginia, Sean Griffin from Virginia, Ben Nguyen from Nevada, and Lana Sawalha from California. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “It is an honor to be able to network and collaborate with these exceptional educators and provide this opportunity for them to reflect, reenergize and strategize with each other as they seek new ways to inspire their students.”

Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards their Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning, preparing them to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students and learn the stories of role models who help change the world. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows enjoy visiting the Fort Scott area.

Lowell Milken Center Fellow

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2022 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Libya Doman, a middle school art teacher at Cooper Middle School in McLean, Virginia. Libya is also a cultural responsiveness facilitator. Libya arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Libya Doman, who taught visual art in Fairfax County Public Schools elementary schools for 17 years prior to moving to middle school, was named National Art Educators Associations’ 2021 Southeastern Elementary Art Educator of the Year as well as Virginia Art Educator Associations’ 2020 Art Educator of the year and Elementary Art Educator of the year. As an advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and access, Libya uses art and conversation as “mirrors and windows” to seeing ourselves and others. She empowers students to explore their personal identities and their relationships with the world to make relevant and meaningful art.

Libya founded Disrupting Norms after serving as an induction coach, curriculum writer, and model teacher in her school system, as well as an adjunct professor at George Mason University. As a facilitator for schools, universities, museums, associations, and other organizations, Libya designs and delivers curriculums, workshops, and keynotes to help educators grapple with topics that are often deemed “taboo,” such as race and gender.

Libya is a printmaker who creates etchings, woodcuts, and linocuts. Beyond the field of education, Libya serves as juror for art exhibits and film festivals. Libya is rooting for all of us to disrupt norms that serve as barriers to our collective growth.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Libya is a talented educator who uses her area of expertise to help students become the best they can be. With her amazing expertise in art education, Libya will be an important contributor to our 2022 LMC Fellowship and to the Center’s ArtEffect program for students.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world

throughout history.

Lowell Milken Center Fellow

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2022 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to educator Jaime Danen, a literacy specialist at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, WI. Jaime Danen arrived in Fort Scott on June 19^th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Jaime Danen, after 23 years in the Green Bay Area Public School district, is leaving Aldo Leopold Community School as a middle school English teacher to become a literacy and leadership specialist at Notre Dame Academy High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin. While Jaime loves teaching about reading, writing and social justice in her classroom, she is excited for this new opportunity and challenge to connect with a new group of learners.

She will be working to raise student literacy levels that were impacted by the pandemic.

Jaime is a United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow and has facilitated workshops for teachers and future teachers on Holocaust and genocide studies. She also facilitates and hosts a social justice film and speaker series for her students and other students in the area. She is a Bill of Rights Fellow and worked to bring social justice issues to the forefront in her classroom and school. Additionally, she works with an organization in Green Bay to deliver leadership coaching and training for school administrators, teachers and students. Their latest conference had 20 high schoolers design and lead a conference for 100 local middle school students.  

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Jaime is an outstanding addition to our team of LMC Fellows. Her experiences in the areas of Holocaust education and social justice, combined with her leadership skills in literacy education, will bring many new dimensions to the LMC’s search for those Unsung Heroes who are positive role models for our young people today.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world  throughout history.

The Big Kansas Road Trip is scheduled for May 5-8, 2022, showcasing the counties of Bourbon, Cherokee, and Crawford. During this special Southeast Kansas event, The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes encourages visitors to tour the interactive Hall of Unsung Heroes exhibits and visit the new Unsung Heroes Park.  Both of these exhibit areas feature the dramatic and diverse stories of Unsung Heroes whose actions have had a profound and positive impact on the course of history. Tours will be available, free of charge, on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.

All visitors are invited to participate in specially planned activities during the Big Kansas Road Trip. Featured programs will include a presentation and children’s book reading by author Cathy Werling at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Cathy, the author of the Unsung Heroes Children’s Book Series, will give an overview of the series’ featured heroes and share one of her books.

The cornerstone project of the Center, Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, will be the highlight of the presentations at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Norm Conard and Megan Felt, two of the project’s creators, will share Irena’s amazing story.

The books in the children’s series, as well as Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project will be available for sale and can be autographed by the presenters. The Center will also have a drawing for the chance to win one of our Unsung Heroes books. All visitors are welcome to sign up.

An additional event at the Center on Friday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. will be the introduction of best-selling author, Roxie Yonkey.  She will be autographing her best-selling book, 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die. Books can be purchased during the event or ahead of time at RoxieontheRoad.com/Shop. Roxie commented “When I signed the contract to write 100 Things Kansas, the Lowell Milken Center was one of the top places on my list to include in the book. When I visited the center, I could hardly restrain my tears because of the moving stories that the center told. People need to know these people, and I am so glad that the center tells their stories.”

Yonkey has been writing about Kansas for over 30 years. The book 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die is her second book. In 2020, she co-authored the book Midwest Road Trip Adventures, which includes road trip guides for all 12 Midwest states. Her new book, Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, will come out in the spring of 2023.

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.