Services

WRITING

I have written two book and co-authored three others.  I have also published over 300 articles in magazines, encyclopedias, and newspapers.  Since September 2009 I have written a four-times-weekly post called “Unknown Chicago” on the media website Chicagonow.com

CONSULTING

I have practical expertise on historically-accurate design for movie and television programs.  I have worked on projects for such varied organizations as Children’s Press, Microsoft Corporation, the National Holocaust Museum, and The History Channel. 

TEACHING

I have nearly 40 years teaching experience.  This includes every level from kindergarten through college and adult education.  I work with students of all abilities, of all backgrounds, in both city and suburb.

MEDIA APPEARANCES

I have been a guest on WTTW-TV, WBEZ, WGN, and New Zealand Public Radio.  The topics were political history and sports.

STORY-TELLING

Some of my most treasured moments are telling stories to younger kids.  I spin tales of other lands, or past times, or mythology.  Then there is also the reading of a classic children’s story, with appropriate embellishment.
 

WORKSHOPS

I have designed and presented teacher-training workshops for the Chicago Public School system.  These dealt with various ways of developing student interest in history.  Topics included neighborhood discovery, historical journaling, oral history, and long-range projection.