Sept. 19, 2006

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation today announced the recipients of the 2006 Odyssey Award, honoring educators who excel at teaching Michigan history.  Elementary teachers from Haslett, Ionia and Lake Orion will receive the prestigious award during the 2006 Jingle Ball, a Journey Through Holidays Past on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing.

Reservations are now being taken for the Jingle Ball, which – in addition to the presentation of the Odyssey awards – will include ice sculpting, a display of floats from the Silver Bells in the City parade, a variety of live music and dancing, an array of sumptuous food and beverages, and the opportunity for guests to find some early holiday shopping deals on great silent auction items such as hotel packages, sporting event and theater tickets, golf and restaurant gift certificates, jewelry and much more.  For more details or to make reservations, visit www.michigan.gov/jingleball or call (517) 373-2565.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern will serve as honorary co-chairs for the Jingle Ball.  Jane Aldrich of WLNS (Channel 6) and Kip Bohne of WSYM (Channel 47) will co-host the gala.

Proceeds from the event are used to expand the Michigan Historical Center's award-winning education programs, which reach more than 70,000 Michigan students every year. 

"We're fanning the spark of inspiration that gets kids excited about exploring our state's history – those engaging learning experiences that ignite the imagination," said Pat Clark, director of the Michigan Historical Center Foundation.  "By supporting the museum's unique education programs and highlighting the work of these outstanding teachers, this program helps ensure that children continue to take the exciting odyssey through Michigan's storied past."

Odyssey Award recipients, who will each receive a plaque and $500, were selected based upon their depth of knowledge about Michigan history, creativity in teaching Michigan history and demonstrated leadership in helping others learn about Michigan history, both in their local school district and in the community. 

Recipients of the 2006 Odyssey Award are:

Stephanie Dukus – Pine Tree Elementary School in Lake Orion

A teacher with an innovative approach that stirs children's interest in Michigan's heritage, Dukus created and piloted a weeklong education program at the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, in which her fourth-grade students learned about the history of the automobile industry hands-on.  She and her students also starred in a Ford Motor Company video about the Ford Rouge Plant and its connection to automotive history.  In addition to their field trips, Dukus' students learn about our state's historic and cultural sites by researching and planning a weeklong Michigan vacation itinerary for an imaginary family.  They learn about topics such as the fur-trading industry and Native American history through special presentations by visiting speakers, and about maritime history by building electrical models of Michigan lighthouses.

John Penn – Ralya Elementary School in Haslett

Penn brings Michigan history to life for his students in unique ways, such as letting them experience what life was like for 16^th-century fur traders and Native Americans during an outdoor encampment – listening to interpreters and storytellers dressed as historical figures, cooking bread over an open fire, playing Native American games and learning about canoeing.  He also took his class on a trip to Mackinac Island to learn about the fur trade.  To teach students about the Civil War, Penn developed a script and had students act out important events in the war – complete with uniforms, flags and muskets carved out of wood – to create their own movie.  Similarly, his students learned about their state's judicial history by visiting the Michigan Hall of Justice and producing a movie in which they re-enacted a court trial.

Patricia Salka – Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Ionia

An educator whose nomination asserts that "she was born to teach Michigan history to the fourth grade," Salka has a knack for getting students excited about their state's heritage.  During Michigan Mardi Gras, an annual program that she initiated, each student is assigned a topic in Michigan history, such as logging or the Mackinac Bridge, then researches, writes a report and builds a "float" on that topic.  The floats and reports are then presented to the whole school during the Michigan Mardi Gras parade.  Salka's creative teaching methods also include having students put on plays about historical figures like Rosa Parks.  She ensures that all of her students can experience Michigan history by visiting the State Capitol, Michigan Historical Museum and Greenfield Village, even paying the cost of attendance herself.

Award recipients will be invited to share their ideas and expertise with other educators via the Odyssey Web page at www.michigan.gov/odyssey.

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center.  The center includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, the State Archives of Michigan, Records Management Services, archaeological and historic preservation programs, and publications, including Michigan History magazine.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).