Muskegon Public Schools

This initiative aimed to deepen educators' understanding of diverse histories, specifically focusing on the Great Migration and the African American experience to create more inclusive classroom environments. Through a comprehensive professional learning framework that included DBQ Project training, a six-day immersive historical research tour through the South, and post-tour synthesis workshops, participating teachers developed the capacity to connect local narratives to broader national contexts and address historical inequities. The project established a scalable model for immersive professional development and a community of practice, resulting in high participant satisfaction and the creation of a digital repository of inquiry-based instructional units now available at misocialstudies.org. Ultimately, transforming participants' pedagogical approaches, equipping them to challenge bias, foster student empathy, and effectively convey the complexity of both local and American history.

Resources:

Partnerships:

  • Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD)
  • Lakeshore Museum Center of Muskegon
  • Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
  • The DBQ Project
  • Clear Vision Films

Community Partners and Consultants:

  • Imali Kent & Amie Polcaro - DBQ Project Teacher Trainers
  • Pat Horn - Muskegon Lakeshore Museum Center 
  • Dr. Matthew Daley - GVSU Professor of Public History
  • Joe Lane - Community Engagement Specialist (Reeths-Puffer Schools)
  • Jim Schaub - Clear Vision Films
  • Bill Mohammad - Dr. James Jackson Museum of African American History (Muskegon Heights)

Regional and District Leadership

  • Rebecca Bush - Muskegon Public Schools Social Studies Specialist
  • Kristen Renes - MAISD Social Studies Consultant
  • Dr. David Johnson - Wexford Missaukee ISD Social Studies, ELA, and SEL Education Consultant
  • Chauncy Williams - IAM Coach PK-8 MCEC (Muskegon Public Schools)

Immersive Great Migration Trip Site Experts