Let me inspire your teachers & students

After 15 years in middle school, high school, and college classrooms, I now spend my time as an education and technology consultant excited about the learning process and the power we have as agents of change in shaping that process. I especially enjoy facilitating conversations on the intersection of social studies, game-based learning, and technology integration.

My educational career began at Derby Middle School, finding ways to help thirteen year olds enjoy American History. I earned a Master’s in American History in 1995 and continued developing innovative practices and sharing them with my students. That was followed by five years working in higher education, designing effective instruction and integrating video games into social science classrooms at Tabor College. I now travel across the country as an ESSDACK education specialist providing keynotes, presentations, and curriculum development.

My passion for social studies was kindled in elementary school when I fell in love with my first National Geographic map. Even at a young age, I was beginning to understand what Robert Louis Stevenson meant when he described his treasure map as having the “power of infinite, eloquent suggestion.” My passion for history and the social studies continued to grow and is now expressed in sharing that passion with others.

I write almost daily here at History Tech, a 2014 Edublog finalist, and maintain Social Studies Central, a repository of resources targeted at K-12 educators cited in national professional journals. You can find my published articles in the National Social Studies Supervisors Association journal, at EdSurge, Tech & Learning, and Teaching History. I have also had the chance to help author numerous discipline specific curricula. Starting in 2013, I acted as co-chair for the Kansas State Department of Education social standards writing and assessment committee and am currently serving in the same role during the 2018 revisions.

I’ve served as president and past president of the Kansas Council for the Social Studies and currently am on the executive board.

As director of two US Department of Education Teaching American History grants, I introduced the use of mobile learning technology to middle and high school teachers while supporting research-based instructional strategies. I’ve worked together with the Center for Children and Technology to help roll out their Zoom In online historical thinking software and have piloted a variety of video games and simulations. As a Google Certified Educator and Apple trainer, I also travel frequently to assist schools as they integrate Apple and Google products.

Presentation Style

I believe that learning should be more than cute and engaging activities. Our task is simple – preparing kids to think critically and to have skills needed to be effective citizens.

Using visuals, stories, and an animated personality, I create an enjoyable and energetic learning environment that one participant called “connectable.” The most effective sessions are those that build relationships between my audience, myself, and the content while building capacity. So my focus is always providing practical ideas coupled with research that teachers and administrators can use to improve the learning process. My C4 Framework – Collect, Collaborate, Create, and Communicate – provides a structure for all of my workshops and presentations.

What Others Are Saying

Wow! What a great session you gave our audience on Friday! You got them engaged right from the start and they gobbled up your information like hungry children!
– South Dakota State Librarian

It’s truly been a pleasure! Your insights, examples & enthusiasm were a big hit with the audience. Thank you for a job well done!
– TIES Colorado Conference Organizer

I really enjoyed Glenn! Very down to earth and helpful to those of us who are technically challenged.
– Wink, Texas Teacher

Glenn was an outstanding trainer! My teachers loved him. A fast two days!
– Omaha, Nebraska Administrator

I have trained teachers before and Glenn did an excellent job keeping everyone engaged and active. The pace of the workshop perfectly matched the skill levels of the participants. Glenn has a sense of humor that made the day fun. Thank you!
– Sturgis, South Dakota Instructional Coach

I enjoyed learning from Glenn W. It was what we needed most. As a vet for almost 20 years, I am usually hard on presenters . . . he wasn’t one of them. Great job! Very informative!
– Jackson, Mississippi Teacher

Keynote Topics

Historical Thinking and Other Strategies for Combating Fake News 
One hour / half day
Learning should be more than simply memorizing facts and data. Our true task is to develop informed, knowledgeable, and engaged students that make the world a better place.

Changing the World: It’s Why We Exist
One hour / half day / full day
Civic Engagement should be more than the latest buzzword. Our kids need skills that will change the world.

Thinking Historically: Four Simple C’s for Easy, Effective, and Engaging Instruction

One hour / half day / full day
We know historically thinking is good for kids but what does it look like in practice?

Having Fun is a Good Thing: Using Play as a Powerful Learning Tool
One hour / half day / full day
Many teachers now understand that games and simulations can help encourage high levels of learning. What does the research tell us about how to integrate these tools into our instruction?

Three Simple Steps for Creating a Powerful Digital Legacy
One hour / half day
Teachers and students don’t think enough about their online presence. Learn to control your footprint and the legacy you leave behind.

Creating Academic Discomfort: The Problem is the Solution

One hour / half day / full day
School should be about developing great questions, not providing easy answers. Let’s explore the possibilities when things aren’t easy and when kids are doing the learning, not us.

New Literacies for Successful Citizens
One hour / half day / full day
This is not your grandparents’ reading, writing, and communicating. Today’s world is desperate for people who understand more than just nouns and verbs – your students need to evaluate, design, create, and manage information.

Google Awesomeness: More Than Just a Search Tool

One hour / half day / full day
The Google world is full of useful tools and resources. Classroom, Maps, Drive, and Keep are just a few of the gadgets we’ll investigate.

Developing Globally Component Kids: Best Practices in Shaping K-12 World Views
One hour / half day / full day
To be successful in higher education and the workplace, 21st century learners must be globally literate – thinking critically about the world and their role in it, understanding cross-cultural relationships, and taking informed action.

(Get a more complete list of presentations, workshops, and publications here.)

Breakout Sessions

Highlighted Presentations

Minnesota Council for the Social Studies Conference
Powerful Strategies for Using Children’s Literature in the Elementary Social Studies Classroom
St Paul MN

101 Powerful Strategies for Enhancing Social Studies Instruction
Milwaukee WI

National Social Studies Supervisors Association Conference
Fake News Bad. Historical Thinking Skills Good.
San Francisco CA

Kansas Council for the Social Studies Conference
Social Studies & ELA: Mashing Up the Literacies
Wichita KS

Kansas Department of Education
Google Tools for Increasing Literacy Skills
Topeka KS

Kileen Social Studies Academy
Historical Thinking in the 21st Century
Kileen TX

Connect with me