GALACTIC - Geography through Art

My name is Hogan Stanger and I will be a facilitator for the upcoming Balfour Scholars program. This is my second year working with this fantastic program. I am a 2014 graduate of Indiana University and currently teach middle school social studies in Bloomington, IN where I also coach basketball. In my past, I taught U.S History in Indianapolis, classes for the gifted and talented in Rhode Island, and participated in international business programs through Indiana University. I am a huge sports fanatic, with my favorite teams being the Indiana Hoosiers, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Cubs, and Indianapolis Colts.

As a social studies teacher in the 21^st century I recognize the importance of global learning. With technology constantly developing and the world changing drastically young adults need to step out of their comfort zones and take interest in things other than what’s directly around them. There is a plethora of unique things happening throughout the world that can directly relate to your everyday life. When learning about events that not only bring us together, but also tear us apart, the way the material is presented is key. When using enthusiasm and learning styles that relate to all students, the possibilities of this program become endless. Indiana University is a great place that I hope you enjoy, and I look forward to this opportunity.

In my classroom the goal is to teach students on geography. Many people think geography is just knowing where a place is on a map, when in reality it is so much more. Geography is a complex science that helps us examine and understand cultures all throughout the world. This helps better understand conflicts and issues throughout the world. The goal for this program is to examine these issues and find ways to relate them to everyday life in your own world.

My emphasis will be to look at geography through art such as hip hop music, film and images.

(Especially maps I LOVE MAPS)