A ‘Life-Changing Experience’: 2023 Fellows Explore LMC’s Unsung Heroes

The 2023 Lowell Milken Center Fellows in Fort Scott, Kansas

This past summer, six Milken Educators traveled to Fort Scott, Kansas, as Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) Fellows. They spent a week learning about LMC’s genesis, exploring the stories of ordinary people whose contributions have made the world better, and diving into LMC’s project-based learning approach that inspires students to create positive change. We asked these veteran Milken Educators to share their experiences, impressions and ideas for infusing Unsung Hero projects into classrooms. 

Michelle Wolfe (WV ’21)
English language arts teacher | East Hardy High School | Baker, WV

In preparation for my time at LMC, I had spent some time with the center’s website and looked at the student projects posted there. LMC Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard (KS ’92) had also shared a flash drive and some other resources at the Milken Educator Awards Forum last spring, so I was familiar with the many excellent electronic resources available for educators to access.

LMC itself is so beautifully curated, and the people who work there are so warm and passionate, that I strongly encourage everyone to visit. LMC Program Director Megan Felt told the most moving story about how the History Day Project she did as a student of Mr. Conard’s turned into her life’s work. Her connection with Irena Sendler, her Unsung Hero, was inspiring. Megan and Norm’s partnership made me remember how truly transformative a rich educational experience can be.

Fort Scott is a very special small town, rich in history and charm. The locals could not have been more welcoming and supportive of the Fellows. They made me feel like a celebrity. We also had the opportunity to tour the fort, visit the Gordon Parks Museum, and explore the LaRoche Baseball Complex. In a special surprise ceremony, the Fellows were presented with keys to the city. I never expected this honor, and I can’t wait to tell my students about it.

My brain has been forever changed by my fellowship at LMC. I see Unsung Heroes everywhere I go. I had the great fortune to tour a few civil rights museums in Montgomery, Alabama, a few weeks after leaving Fort Scott, and I found myself writing down names of heroes I want to introduce to my students. When I picked up my daughter from her STEM summer camp, I noticed a few female leaders in radio astronomy who would also make fabulous Unsung Hero topics.

I am a high school ELA teacher, so many of my essential standards focus on research skills. This is the first time in my teaching career that I am really looking forward to teaching research. The Unsung Hero projects can be so much more than a standard research essay. I am excited to embrace the project-based learning strategies that I learned as a Fellow and help students produce a website, documentary, or performance to share their research with their community. My intention is to have students enter LMC’s Discovery Award competition in 2024.

I also feel like the Fellows have a special bond because of our shared experience. I had the great pleasure of learning from Silvia Miranda Cano (NM ’18) and hearing about her Unsung Hero Chester Nez. Bill Smithyman (KS ’15) shared some very helpful tips and helped me think about making the project my own. Like the Milken Award, the LMC Fellowship has connected me with educators from across the country and around the world.

Ali Jun (NV ’21)
K-5 music specialist | Tyrone Thompson Elementary | Las Vegas, NV

Being an LMC Fellow was nothing short of amazing. To be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure what I was getting myself into, but I felt passionate about the idea when I first heard Norm Conard (KS ’92) and Silvia Miranda (NM ’18) speak about Unsung Hero projects at the Milken Educator Awards Forum several years ago.

As a music educator, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in. I teach kids how to read, play, and appreciate music. I don’t teach AP History. I don’t help students cite references for research papers. I had visited LMC about a year ago with my family and was in awe of the beauty of the projects and the sentimental meaning behind them all. Every project was powerful and spoke to me. I knew I had to put my imposter syndrome to rest.

Norm and the LMC staff set us all up for success. The speakers were very helpful and insightful. They gave me tons of tools to take back and share with my colleagues. We went through the entire process of producing an Unsung Hero project in my classroom from beginning to end. I started researching the heroes my students and I could connect with, and the floodgate of ideas opened. I teach a unit on songs about activism and realized the Unsung Hero concept would tie in perfectly.

I had no idea how much history there is in Fort Scott and I was delighted to visit the Gordon Parks Museum, Fort Scott Cemetery, and Fort Scott National Historic Site. Walking on each and every hand-placed brick was something I won’t soon forget. Everywhere we went in the town, the people were so friendly. I even made friends with the local music teacher and her husband at dinner one night! I felt like a rock star walking down those historic streets as friendly strangers shouted “Hi, Fellows!” And being awarded the key to the city was a total shock and left me speechless (a rare occurrence).

I’ve already shared LMC’s K-5 lessons at my school, and a handful of teachers have asked how they can help and be a part of an Unsung Hero Project. My principal also invited me to be a guest on his podcast. Of course I talked about what a life-changing experience being an LMC Fellow has been, both personally and professionally.

Victoria Lightfoot (NC ’21)
Instructional coach | Millbrook Magnet Elementary | Raleigh, NC

When I was initially selected as an LMC Fellow, I was expecting my week to be filled with opportunities to learn about the Lowell Milken Center’s Unsung Hero Projects, ARTEFFECT Competition and Discovery Award. I anticipated meeting other Fellows and having the opportunity to learn and grow beside them. I knew it would be empowering. I expected to leave Fort Scott a better educator than when I arrived.

My Fellow experience far exceeded my expectations. I met amazing individuals who share a passion for paying homage to the many individuals who have positively impacted and influenced the world around us. I learned about the stories of Irena Sendler and Gordon Parks, whose bravery, creativity, and persistence paved the way for others to have access to a better life. I had the opportunity to interact with veteran Fellows who shared their experiences and ideas. We also met virtually with LMC Founder Lowell Milken.

The LMC staff were caring, compassionate, thoughtful, and kind. They ensured every minute of our week was fun, engaging, and meaningful. And the friendly Fort Scott community welcomed us with open arms and made sure we did not feel like strangers in their town. We toured historic Fort Scott and the Gordon Parks Museum. Not only did I leave Fort Scott with newfound knowledge, resources, and gifts, I left with new friends and a greater appreciation for the people who took risks so that we could all live a better life today.

I am an instructional coach, so my experience as an LMC Fellow will work its way into our classrooms as I share resources with colleagues and help them embed the Unsung Heroes project into social studies and literacy units. Our state has standards directly connected to researching events and individuals who impacted change in the community and demonstrated good citizenship. I look forward to bringing the Unsung Heroes project to life in our school.

Lacy Rivera (NM ’19)
Fourth grade teacher | Sundance Elementary | Los Lunas, NM

Being an LMC Fellow was a life-changing experience. The Fellows were treated like a royal family; it felt like the red carpet was rolled out for us everywhere we went. Imagine that—educators being treated like celebrities! We were reminded throughout the week that we are not “just” teachers. We are educators of excellence, and by elevating educators, we elevate the profession.

When I received first the Milken Educator Award and then the LMC Fellowship, I thought, “Why me?” It was only once seated at the table—with good people doing great work to leave the world a bit better through education—that I realized I was there for a reason. Like many teachers of excellence, I’ve been called to a profession that is hard and has limitless potential for positive impact. My week in Fort Scott reminded me to take this opportunity, transform it into a responsibility, and relentlessly seek the good through teaching, storytelling, historical inquiry, and creativity. This opportunity has reminded me that individuals do have the power to change the world, but that it is in fellowship with others that we sustain our passion.

Our time in Fort Scott also highlighted the city’s rich history and amazing community. We toured the Fort Scott National Cemetery, explored the Gordon Parks Museum, connected with community members who actively promote youth sports and education, and networked with locals who are fiercely committed to making the world a better place through storytelling and relationship-building. And we learned how we can extend LMC’s mission through project-based learning in our own schools and classrooms. I am looking forward to making connections in my community to help students extend their learning beyond the four walls of a classroom.

My most memorable moments in Fort Scott were those with people. LMC’s goals are lofty and inspiring, but it is the truly inspirational quality of character of those in the LMC network that reminds me to keep doing good work. One Fellow in my group has started a community garden. Another is fearless in his pursuit of opportunities that will make his community better. Another is an author and certified tour guide, and another spent her first year of teaching at a zoo! We practiced yoga and mindfulness with Donna, surrounded by student-created artwork. We played golf with Craig, who dedicates his days to telling the story of Gordon Parks’ life and legacy. We drank coffee at Common Grounds with the center staff, one of whom is a phenomenal children’s book author, another an aspiring educator. We listened to Megan Felt tell her “Life in a Jar” story, sharing tears and photos and vulnerability while we remember that teaching, learning, and storytelling are human acts that, in the best of times, bring people together as more fully realized beings. These moments—these memories—I will forever hold in my heart.

I plan to engage my fourth graders in learning about one hero each week. I have already begun to collaborate with our art teacher, computer lab teacher, and librarian to help me think about how to scaffold the Unsung Heroes projects for younger students, and I am planning to share the Unsung Heroes competitions with secondary educators. I’m also going to connect with our local heritage center, museums, and libraries. I’m optimistic about what will become of this opportunity and believe this project will be one our community will support.

Lesley Snyder (SC ’21)
Teacher in residence, Evolving SC | University of South Carolina | Irmo, SC

Fort Scott is steeped in history. The city comes from a crucible of conflict that shaped American history and has embraced the challenges of growth and transformation. At the crossroads of Wall and Main Streets stands LMC, which serves as a tribute to the remarkable tales of Unsung Heroes: ordinary individuals whose unwavering commitment against injustice has altered the course of history. These stories, emblematic of the profound impact one person can wield, stand as a testament that even the faintest echo can create ripples of change.

Being an LMC Fellow was a transformative experience. From the LMC staff to the welcoming locals, warm smiles and open arms made me feel like I had always belonged here. The speakers bubbled with insights and tools, generously equipping us to share with colleagues. We delved into the entire process of crafting a classroom Unsung Hero project, from inception to completion. Researching connections for students and myself opened a floodgate of ideas. The echoes of inspiration will linger in my mind forever.

My Fellows group included five other diverse and incredibly accomplished women. We bonded over the hard but necessary work of inspiring today’s youth and formed a cohort determined to create change. I am especially grateful to have met Kate Molodyk, a Fellow from Ukraine. Her global perspective and touching stories continue to inspire me to be the best version of myself.

Just being among the amazing stories and student-created artwork at LMC is an experience. Walking through the museum allowed me to really be present as I let the whispers of Unsung Heroes who would have otherwise been lost in the sands of time wash over me. I was also delighted to visit the Gordon Parks Museum, Fort Scott National Cemetery and Fort Scott National Historic Site.

I plan to push the LMC Fellow work into the minds of future teachers at the University of South Carolina College of Education. In the future, I hope to use my LMC experience to ignite flames of student-guided learning in as many teachers as I can.

Kevin Dailey (KY ’21)
Eighth grade social studies | Ballyshannon Middle School | Union, KY

The LMC Fellowship brought together some of the best professional educators in the country to work on real projects that kids can do, no matter their grade level, course, or proficiency. The accessibility of the Unsung Heroes program and the emphasis that my cohort placed on ensuring it was available for all kids blew me away.

The folks in Fort Scott, including Norm, Megan, and the whole LMC team, made their home our home. The pride they have on their city is just incredible. My most memorable moments came from the conversations with all of those fantastic members of the Fort Scott community. Getting a key to the city was pretty cool, too!

The idea of a Fellowship is something that so many folks don’t get to experience. My summer dramatically changed through one of the connections I made in my LMC cohort. One week after visiting Fort Scott, I left for Rwanda to spend time with Carl Wilkens, an Unsung Hero on display in LMC’s gallery. I learned about genocide, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It was a life-changing experience that was made possible through the LMC Fellowship.

The LMC curriculum will be a key component for my class moving forward. This is truly a platform I believe in.