The GPB Education division continues to grow as we introduce our two newest members: Tracey Wiley and Michael Kuenlen. Tracey and Michael join our team as Education Outreach Specialists. Michael will provide support to the southern counties of Georgia and Tracey will support  the northern counties. They are working hard to train teachers on how to use and implement GPB’s new Georgia Studies Digital Textbook, which is an updated, interactive version of “Georgia Studies: Our State, Our Nation,” the textbook used by history teachers across the state for almost two decades.  

Michael comes to GPB with a background in education where he taught high school economics, government and Advanced Placement United States history for five years; he continues to teach U.S. history at a local college. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in secondary social studies education and attended a joint graduate program at the College of Charleston and the Citadel to study developing world history.  Michael is excited to support teacher instruction and student learning through digital education.

Tracey has been involved in education since 1986 where she first served as an interpreter at Discovery Place and Nature Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She went on to teach as an environmental educator for the North Carolina parks service and later as an elementary school teacher in Otavalo, Ecuador.  Since then, Tracey has worked as an instructor and consultant at various educational organizations throughout metro Atlanta including Georgia Perimeter College, the Dunwoody Nature Center, the Georgia Aquarium, and Zoo Atlanta.  Tracey is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in biology and concentration in photojournalism.  She received her master’s degree in policy from the University of Delaware.  

The Georgia Studies digital textbook is available for free to all Georgia educators. Teachers can complete the sign-up form at http://www.gpb.org/education/textbook/about. Once teachers submit the form, they will receive login information within 72 hours.

In order to easily assist 8th grade Georgia history teachers throughout the state with the digital textbook, we are hosting a webinar on Wednesday, September 16th from 4-5 pm. The webinar will detail for teachers how to successfully utilize the many interactive features and multimedia enhancements of the Georgia Studies Digital Textbook. Participants will learn how to access and use this creative, cutting-edge platform that will change the way students and teachers experience Georgia history. Please register for the Georgia Studies Digital Textbook 101 webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2200290261126426113?spl

Michael and Tracey’s primary role is to provide resources and support for the Georgia Studies digital textbook. They would love to hear how you are using the digital textbook in your classroom or feel free to contact them if you need training for implementing the text. They are visiting schools to get teachers set up on the book and provide demonstrations on how to navigate the book and cover the content. If you are in the northern half of Georgia, contact Tracey at twiley@gpb.org and if you are in the southern half, contact Michael at mkuenlen@gpb.org.