Wednesday, November 02th, 2011

Agent Orange and Atoning for our Ancestor’s Mistakes

After showing a class of Santa Barbara High School history students this video —which conceals nothing of the horror Vietnamese families and American Veterans still suffer four generations after 20 million gallons of Agent Orange was senselessly sprayed on Vietnam -- I inquire of them: “How many of you think that the chemical companies who manufactured Agent Orange [Monsanto, Dow, among… [Read Full Article]

Monday, September 12th, 2011

How to Teach About 9/11 Without Oversimplifying

As global educators, we are entrusted with the challenge of making the incomprehensible understood. The Los Angeles Times ran a nice cover story regarding the challenge that 9/11 presents for teachers and students.  Ten years ago, I remember announcing the news of the Twin Towers terrorist attacks to my 9:00 a.m. 9th grade history students.  We cried. We were stupefied, brought… [Read Full Article]

Friday, September 02th, 2011

What Che Guevara can teach student travelers

Che Street Art, Cuba “Do you know who Che Guevara is?” The TSA officer checking our boarding passes points his question and finger at my 10-year old son. It is Milo’s T-shirt that inspires this conversational interrogation. “Che Guevara was Fidel Castro’s Chief of Staff. Did you know that?” “Yes,” Milo stares at the guard. I can tell he’s intimidated… [Read Full Article]

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Hello from Hanoi!

Xian Ciao from Hanoi! We left the Mekong Delta today at sunrise, drove to Can Tho, and then flew to Hanoi. We landed at lunchtime and have been exhilarated with the sights, sounds and smells of the north ever since. Our hotel is located in the heart of the Old French Quarter adjacent to Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a… [Read Full Article]

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Santa Barbara Spring Trip Vietnam in Saigon

It's hard to believe we arrived only yesterday. After landing in Ho Chi Minh City, we went straight to a T-shirt manufacturing factory and observed how people work in the garment industry. Thereafter, we enjoyed a delicious traditional lunch of spring rolls, vegetables, garlic-pepper fish and fresh fruit. Upon checking into our hotel, a refreshing shower energized us for our… [Read Full Article]