FOR RELEASE:      Thursday, May 3, 2018
CONTACT:            Patrick Riccards | [email protected]  |  (703) 298-8283

Note: See 90-second video on the WW HistoryQuest program at http://bit.ly/2EZyJrm. Additional video resources also available.

WW HISTORYQUEST FELLOWSHIP EXPANDS, NAMES NEW FELLOWS

Program Helps Teachers Bring Game-Based Learning to U.S. History Classrooms

PRINCETON, NJ (Thursday, May 3, 2018) – In its third year, the Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship has expanded and named new Fellows. The 29 teachers who make up this year’s class come from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and, for the first time, from New York City.

The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship was developed to provide middle and high school American history teachers with a professional development program focused on game-based pedagogy. Developed in partnership with the Institute of Play, the HistoryQuest Fellowship uses the power of games, play, and digital tools to transform both teacher practice and student engagement.

“These educators will use the tools and strategies from the WW HistoryQuest Fellowship to make history and civics come alive in their classrooms,” says Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. “Some of these teachers already use some games in their classrooms, while others are looking for fresh approaches to instruction. We are pleased with the range of interests and experience that this year’s Fellows represent. It’s a privilege to be able to support yet another group of innovative and committed teachers this year.”

The 2018 HistoryQuest Fellows represent middle and high schools ranging from high-need urban schools to cutting-edge charter schools to large regional schools. The selected Fellows also bring with them varying experience: Fully half of the Fellows are veteran teachers with nine or more years in the classroom; among the rest, seven are novice teachers with one to two years’ experience.

All Fellows were first nominated by their school districts and then chosen through a rigorous selection process launched by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation last year. Each HistoryQuest Fellow attends a six-day summer intensive, then participates in a 10-month follow-up program that includes additional workshops as well as individual coaching.

The Woodrow Wilson/Institute of Play-designed effort was created to help educators incorporate games in their lessons, to equip them to create their own gaming experiences for students, and to prepare them to teach students to think like game designers. In the long term, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation hopes the game-focused initiative will also enhance the Foundation’s ongoing work to improve teacher and education leader preparation.

For more information on the Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship, please visit woodrow.org/historyquest.

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About the Institute of Play
The Institute of Play is nationally known for its use of gaming and play—digital and otherwise—to develop teachers, engage students, and individualize learning. As the founding partner of the Quest to Learn school, the Institute has received national attention for pioneering a new model of learning with a significant impact on student gains in critical areas like communication and problem-solving. Through initiatives like the TeacherQuest professional development program, the Institute demonstrates its commitment to transforming schools and supporting teachers through gaming and play.

About the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Founded in 1945, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation (www.woodrow.org) identifies and develops the nation’s best minds to meet its most critical challenges. The Foundation supports its Fellows as the next generation of leaders shaping American society.

 

 

The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellows, 2018

 

Connecticut

Trevor Charles • Middletown High School (Middletown)
Steven Mallory • Middletown High School (Middletown)
Tia DePalma • North Branford Intermediate School (North Branford)
Carrie Sabetta • North Branford Intermediate School (North Branford)

 

Massachusetts

Susan Ames • Scituate High School (Scituate)
Richard Kermond • Scituate High School (Scituate)
Brendan Hahesy • Everett High School (Everett)
Dominic Persuitte • Everett High School (Everett)
Carissa Scudieri • Everett High School (Everett)
Nina Hoey • Worcester Technical High School (Worcester)
Danielle Pietro • Worcester Technical High School (Worcester)

 

New Jersey

Nicole Sanderson • Science Park High School (Newark)
Ana Serro • Science Park High School (Newark)
Noelia Lago • Bayonne High School (Bayonne)
Robert Loyola • Mary J. Donohoe (Bayonne) Stephen Andrews • Vineland High School (Vineland)
Vishnu Raghundandan • East Orange Campus High School (East Orange)

 

New York

Michelle Genao • Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship (Bronx)
Brian Herron • Scholars Academy (Queens)
Michael Jimenez • EBC High School for Public Service (Brooklyn)
Paul Zuppello • The Facing History School (Manhattan)
Mordecai Moore • High School of Economics & Finance (Manhattan)
Raj Nanda • High School of Economics & Finance (Manhattan)
Maritza Rivera • Jonas Bronck Academy MS 228 (Bronx)
Michael Rose • Jonas Bronck Academy MS 228 (Bronx)
Brandon Borst • South Bronx Early College Academy Charter School (Bronx)

 

Pennsylvania

Julie Painter • Norwin Middle School (Irwin)
Joseph Eckenroth • Mifflin County Junior High School (Lewistown)
Pearl Jonas • Science Leadership Academy (Philadelphia)

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