Eric M. East
School: Fort Hayes MEC
Inducted: 2003

Eric, a native of Toledo, OH, has lived in Columbus for 15 years. He earned a BA in History from Ohio State University in 1994 and a Master of Education, also from OSU, in 2000. Between degrees, Eric served two years in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Juneau.

Currently entering his fifth year in the Columbus Public Schools, Eric teaches 9th Grade U.S. History and 11th Grade American Studies as well as Introductory and Intermediate Architectural Drafting and Design at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center.

In addition to his teaching duties, Eric has also worked as a curriculum writer for the CPS for the past three years. He has worked on curriculum for 9th grade 19th Century Humanities and U.S. History and 10th grade World History courses.

Jennifer LaPlace
School: Whetstone High School
Inducted: 2004

Jennifer, a native of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, has lived in Columbus for nine years. She earned a degree in Political Science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Secondary Social Studies teaching certification at Ohio Dominican University.

Jennifer has worked for Columbus Public Schools for seven years. She currently teaches Humanities 10 and World Studies at Whetstone High School. In addition, Jennifer has worked as a curriculum writer for CPS. In 2001, Jennifer received a Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship to study globalization in Southern Africa and returned to South Africa a year later working on a program known as Building a Civil Society.

Jennifer Plemel
School: Northland High School
Inducted: 2004

Jenny, a native of Springfield, Ohio, has lived in Columbus for the past 26 years. She received her BS in Social Studies Education from Miami University. She has also received a M.Ed. in Curriculum Instruction: Instructional Technology from Ashland University. Jenny began teaching later in life after working in the business world for 10 years.

Currently, Jenny is beginning her 11th year at Northland High School where she teaches World Humanities, World Studies and Advanced Placement U.S. History.

Jenny has also served as department chair at Northland and on the textbook selection committee for A.P. U.S. History.

Contributions

• Charles Young Photograph lesson plan
• 20th Century Civil Rights/Freedom Summer lesson plan

John Bowers
School: Walnut Ridge High School
Inducted: 2004

John was born in Zanesville, Ohio, where he graduated from Maysville High School in 1970 and entered the Zanesville Branch of Ohio University. In 1972, John married his wife, Donna, and moved to Columbus where he worked for the Big Bear Stores Company in their meat cutter apprenticeship program, becoming a journeyman meat cutter in January of 1975. John remained in the retail meat industry until August 2000.

In 1993, John enrolled at Otterbein College to pursue a bachelor's degree and certification to teach secondary social studies. While at Otterbein he was active in Phi Alpha Theta and was a student advisor to the History/Political Science Department. John graduated magna cum laude in 2000 and was hired by Columbus Public Schools to teach social studies at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. John remained at FCJDC for three years and is now entering his second year at Walnut Ridge High School where he teaches Ninth Grade US Studies.

Donna and John are still married (34 years) and have three adult children, all products of the Columbus Public Schools system.

Contributions

• Science & Urban Life: Enter the Automobile lesson plan
• We're Finally on our Own: may 4, 1970 lesson plan
• National Road Photograph primary source activity

Joy Bishop, Teaching Fellows Coordinator
School: Indianola Middle School
Inducted: 2003

Joy, a native of Columbus' south-side, is starting her 7th year with Columbus Public Schools as a 7th grade Social Studies/Science teacher at Indianola Middle School. Joy began teaching later in life, after her children were grown.

An OSU graduate in Secondary Social Studies, Joy received her elementary certification from Ohio Dominican College. She currently teaches ancient civilizations and explains that she recognizes that many American laws and customs, and government have roots in ancient societies.

Joy says that "Programs such as History WORKS help me assist my students to make the connections and find relevance in studying all 'those dead people.'"

Contributions

• Comparing the Founding Documents lesson plan

Kim Kile
School: Sherwood Middle School
Inducted: 2004

Kim, a native of Western Ohio, came to Capital University in 1985 and earned a BA in education and a Biology minor. She received a MA in Children's Literature from Ohio State University in 2002.

A coach and soccer mom of three children, Kim has an active life outside of school, which includes gardening, swimming, reading and raising pets as well as the kids. Beginning her 13th year of teaching in the Columbus Public Schools, Kim currently teaches 7th grade social studies and science.

Being a part of History Works for the last two years has given me the resources so that I can make realistic connections for my middle school students.

Contributions

• Carlin Store Ledger primary source activity
• German Day Poster primary source activity
• Martin Luther King, Jr. primary source activity

Matt Doran
School: Independence High School
Inducted: 2004

Originally from Hagerstown, Maryland, Matt was raised in Beloit, Ohio where he graduated from West Branch High School. He earned a BA summa cum laude in history, and a Masters degree in Social Studies and Global Education, both from The Ohio State University.

Currently in his fourth year at Independence High School, Matt has taught both American and World History, as well as tenth grade Humanities. At IHS, Matt leads a Critical Friends Group, and is an assistant baseball coach. He also works as a curriculum writer and instructor for the Columbus Virtual High School, an online Columbus Public School.

Contributions

• Kent State and the Vietnam War Protest Movement lesson plan
• Remembering Vietnam Veterans lesson plan
• Central Labor Union Grievance Form primary source activity

Michelle Staca
School: West High School
Inducted: 2003

Michelle is a graduate of West High School in Columbus. She graduated from Heidelberg College in 1982 with a BA in History. After teaching in Petersburg, Virginia, for three years, Michelle returned to Columbus where she has been with Columbus Public Schools for 15 years.

Nancy Luaces
School: East High School
Inducted: 2003

Nancy was born in Los Angeles and raised in St. Louis and Brooklyn. She attended the University of Missouri-Columbia as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and recipient of the George C. Brooks Scholarship.

As a McNair Scholar, Nancy had the opportunity to study Irish American immigration and the impact of the Sisters of Mercy on American education and health care. She earned a BS in Social Studies and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (History and Political Science).

Nancy currently teaches American History at East High School in Columbus.