Hi everyone!  This is Craig in Bay City, Michigan.  I'm 36 years old and have been teaching for the past 13 years.  For the past 5 years, I have been at Central High School in Bay City, where I teach US history and AP US history.  I'm a pretty experienced traveller.  I studied in Paris during my junior year of college (I went to Central College in Pella, Iowa) and returned to France after college to teach in Nantes for one year.  I've participated in several of the NEH Landmark Workshops over the past three years as well as a Gilder-Lehrman summer institute.  Of course, those have been in the US, but I have been in two recent programs overseas.  Two years ago, I went with the National Council of Economics Education on a eight day study tour of Romania.  Last year, I went to Sydney, Australia for a month on a Rotary Group Study Exchange.  In addition, my partner and I have travelled extensively over the past few years, our most recent trip being spring vacation in Austria and the Czech Republic.  So if anyone needs advice on travelling or packing for a month, let me know.  

I am very excited about this opportunity for learning about China.  I can't wait to learn about my fellow participants and to meet you in just over two months!

I'm Julie Costello from Fargo – yes, the movie and the floods. My husband, Tim, teaches AP English and I have 2 dogs named Gatsby and Walden at home. I have three children, one son-in-law, and one grandson that I will miss lots while I am gone on this adventure.

I teach sixth grade in a new middle school and, like all of you, most days love what I do. More than vacation, I like adventure and exploring and look forward to our study together. I have taught for thirty-one years and have traveled some. Last year I traveled to India doing workshops in schools; I have also been to Germany, Austria, Japan, and the Philippines where I slept in the rain forest with mating eagles. This is my first NEH and China will be a great opportunity to explore and learn while surrounded by history.

Hi all!  My name is Carrie Lombardi and I am currently a 5th grade teacher in Arlinton, Virginia.  I have been teaching for 7 years now, but was a career switcher.  My first job out of college was at NBC in NYC at the famous Rockefellar Center.  It sounds like such a glamorous job, but finance for NBC isn't very glittery :)  This will be my first experience through NEH and I am really excited to travel to China.  I have been to Europe on numerous occasions, traveled to Central America and have also lived in Mexico.  I am excited to explore and to bring back my experiences to my classroom. 

I am married to a great husband of 5 years and have two Dogs- Murphy and Edie and one cat- Abbe.  It will be an interesting summer for them, since they are so used to me being home!

Hi everyone! I'm Nicole Franczvai-Kuo 31….Ok you got me…32. from Lewisville, Tx (right outside Dallas) I teach at Lewisville High School 10-12 high school. We have just under 3,000 students who attend the school and we are stretched to the max. At Lewisville I teach – Art One & Sculpture 2,3 AP Sculpture. My specialty is jewelry and anything mixed media. On the side I'm the junior class sponsor and art club sponsor for the school. I'm very excited to be going to China with everyone and I can't wait to get to know you. I have a wonderful husband Jeff who is from Taiwan the way of Korea. We have travelled in Taiwan, China/Hong Kong a few times he proposed to me on the top of The Great Wall-got a ring and a t-shirt. Lucky me! No kids except for two HORRIBLY spoiled dogs – KimChe and Wasabi. I'm not nearly as well travelled as you all although I have dreams of stacks of filled passport books for my future-possibly you can teach me your tips and tricks. I instantly feel like I don't have ANYTHING interesting to say about myself after reading all your amazing bio's – what a great group we have assembled. 

I'm interested in finding out what sorts of technology people were considering to bring with themselves.  I'm planning to bring my digital cameras and perhaps my laptop (if that is a good idea?) since I'm hoping to complement my curriculum ideas with Google Earth and/or other mapping software.  I was also wondering what sort of computers / internet might be available at the university we're staying at and whether or not it has any facilities for burning CDs/DVDs of photographs any of us may take.  Lastly, I was wondering what sort of plug adapter might be best for electronics that we bring with us. There are mixed answers to the plug questions from the sources I've come across.

Hello everyone!  My name is Rene Marion.  I teach at Bard High School Early College in New York City, and am thrilled to be joining the group for the summer institute.  I teach Global Studies in our two year high-school program, and history electives and a humanities seminar in our two-year college program.  I am really impressed with the travel experience of the group members who've registered thus far and look forward to meeting you all!

DeeCW said:

I plan to arrive in Newark around noon on July 4th with the intention of watching the Statue of Liberty fireworks that evening. I would love to have you join me. I'm also up for catching a Broadway matinee on July 5th since we're so close!

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I never even thought of arriving a day early for the fireworks.  Oh well, my tickets are purchased already.  I'll be arriving around noon on the 5th.  I certainly would be up to heading into the city.  I don't get to New York nearly enough!  The last time my partner and I were there was actually on New Years Eve the year before last.  We were heading back up north on the train after visiting his family in Florida for Christmas and we had a 6 hour lay-over at Penn Station.  We walked around the city, but we completely avoided Times Square!  We had some amazing Korean food though in the Korean neighbourhood.  We were about the only non-Asians in the place, so we took that as a good sign ;)

brijcubs said:

Anyone spending time in NYC prior or after?  I am visiting a good friend before and hope to take in HAIR or BILLY ELLIOT.

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Brian,

I would love to attend a Broadway show on Sunday afternoon, July 5th. Billy Elliot is a "must see" definitely, but I'd be happy with just about anything playing. Many, many summers ago my husband and I stood in the TKTS line and got seats for a show that wasn't in our "top 5". It was Sweeney Todd with the original cast, Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. What a feast for the eyes and ears, and what a wonderful lesson in being open to whatever's in store!

Dee