Johnston History Teacher Uses TV Footage to Bring History to Life for Students

Kelly Coleman was searching for a new way to present a speech to her U.S. History class.

Now, she's on her way to Washington, D.C., to attend the C-SPAN Educators Conference in July 8-10.

Coleman, a U.S. history teacher, is one of 30 social studies teachers in the country to be selected for the honor.

"It was actually kind of by accident," Coleman said of finding the opportunity. "We were doing a Vietnam unit, I was teaching of Hawks and Doves and I use a speech by John Kerry - The Winter Soldier Speech. I was trying to find a different way to present it in an interesting way instead of having the students read the speech."

Coleman stumbled on C-SPAN archives of the Kerry's speech and found out about the educators conference.

She only had four days to apply.

Coleman filled out a letter, sent her resume and had to answer questions on how she would benefit from the conference and how she would share that with other teachers.

"I'm the building leadership team leader for social studies department, so I've talked to my department and told them what I plan to share," she said. "Since I won the 2009 Teacher of the Year, I'm expected to present there, and at the Midwest Regional for the Iowa National Council of Social Studies Teachers."

Coleman sent the information on, and the next Monday she was notified she had been chosen.

"I was excited and shocked at how quick it was," she said.

After finding the footage of Kerry's speech, Coleman became a C-SPAN Classroom, a free program.

"You have access to all archive video and lesson plans," she said. "Now I'm really excited about all the opportunities that I'll be shown at the conference."
Before school dismissed for summer, Coleman tested a few lesson plans.

"I'm really utilizing the site and I'm excited to find out more that I can do in the classroom."

After using the CSPAN archives, Coleman could see students were more engaged.

Attending the conference and using the program will only help students, Coleman said.

"I think as you know our students, the generation they are very technical and digital they are visual learners, so any time I can bring that to the classroom I think engagement is better."

"Anytime you can get your students excited for history, it's a good day."