Teaching History in an Uncivilized World is the latest book by National Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler. It is a fascinating chronicle of his 23-year odyssey as a high school history and humanities teacher. Widely recognized for his innovative and exciting methods, Bigler explains how as a novice teacher he discovered the power of using historical simulations to motivate students and to help them become active participants in their own learning. These inspiring lessons proved highly effective in teaching important curricular content as President Bill Clinton would later acknowledge: "Through these historic simulations, his students have learned lessons about democracy and the meaning of citizenship, lessons we want every American to know." Despite Bigler's success as a history teacher, he was laid off twice early in his career due to school budgetary crises. Growing frustrated and increasingly disillusioned, Bigler eventually quit teaching and during this three year hiatus, he received an advanced degree at the College of William and Mary and served as an Army historian at Arlington National Cemetery. It was while working at Arlington that Bigler discovered that he missed the daily excitement of teaching history as well as the interaction with his students. In 1985, he returned to the high school classroom a far wiser and better educator. At BCC and McLean High Schools, Bigler taught a variety of history courses and was actively involved in implementing the latest computer technology into his instruction. As the yearbook advisor at McLean, he aggressively upgraded the publication's limited computer resources and introduced the editors and staff to desktop publishing. Widely respected by both staff and students, Philip Bigler was twice selected by the McLean High School senior class as their "most influential teacher" and was chosen as the school's Teacher of the Year in 1996. In order to pursue his avid interest in the potential of educational technology to improve student learning, Bigler transferred to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in the fall of 1996. There he was selected as the Fairfax County and the Virginia Teacher of the Year. In 1998, Philip Bigler was named the National Teacher of the Year by President Bill Clinton who remarked, "We need more teachers like Philip Bigler - in every classroom in America today for it is they who can make our schools the best in the world." As the National Teacher of the Year, Bigler was granted a one year sabbatical and traveled extensively speaking to various educational groups and organizations about the importance of teaching. He persuasively argues that "Civilization begins anew with each child" and that "if we fail to teach and educate our young people, we are just one generation removed from barbarism." Bigler advocates for a return of academic rigor to our nation's classrooms and the need for strong content standards. Bigler has appeared as a featured guest on The Late Show with David Letterman; Nightline; and the History Channel. Teaching History in an Uncivilized World is an essential book for all of those interested in improving the quality of American education. It is highly readable and contains numerous useful appendices for history teachers. The book is supported by a regularly updated website where additional educational resources and lesson plans are available.

Teaching History in an Uncivilized World

Biographies & Memoirs

Bigler, Philip

Professionals & Academics

Apple Ridge Publishers

John Payne Todd, Dolley Madison s only surviving offspring from her brief first marriage, would always be a privileged and spoiled child. His doting mother appeared oblivious to her son s many faults and may have even been guilty of enabling and encouraging them. In 1794, the recently widowed Dolley married James Madison. The 43-year old Virginia Congressman willingly served as a surrogate father to the boy and together they would forever refer to Payne as our son. It soon became apparent, though, that Todd could never live up to the Madison s high expectations and aspirations for him. Indeed, Payne was forced to bear the incredible burden of being the only direct heir of two of the seminal figures of the early American republic. It is small wonder that he was destined to disappoint. For too long, countless numbers of historians and Madison biographers have hastily dismissed Payne Todd as a pathetic alcoholic, a petulant ingrate, and a greedy opportunist. Although such assessments are not without a degree of merit, historian and National Teacher of the Year, Philip Bigler, persuasively argues that Payne Todd s entire life was instead a futile struggle to establish his own personal identity. Unfortunately, he was never able to escape the weighty shadow cast by the Madison s. Like many of the children of other great people, Payne would not fare well nor would he be afforded the luxury of private failure or personal anonymity. Compounding his difficulties was the fact that he had no brothers and sisters to help ameliorate his burden. He would die without redemption, acknowledging in the end that, I have always been my own worst enemy. Philip Bigler, who served as the director of the James Madison Center for nine years, brings his historical expertise and skill to Scandalous Son. The book is a fascinating parable about the dark side of the American dream an allegory of the rags-to-riches-to-rags phenomenon that has all too often plagued the heirs of the republic.

Scandalous Son: The Elusive Search for Dolley Madison's Son, John Payne Todd

Historical

For over a century, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been America's most cherished and revered military shrine. The dramatic story of this magnificent monument is skillfully told by historian Philip Bigler, in this highly readable narrative account. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A Century of Honor, 1921-2021. In the book, Bigler chronicles the Tomb's history from its early inception after World War I through its formalization and beautification. The shrine's symbolism and continuing cultural importance are explained, while the subsequent interments of the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Unknowns are covered in detailed and framed within the context and scope of the nation's history. Bigler spent over two years conducting extensive primary source research at the National Archives, the Eisenhower Library, the Library of Congress the Commission of Fine Arts, as well as other important historical repositories.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A Century of Honor, 1921-2021

History

Americas

In honored glory: Arlington National Cemetery, the final post

Vandamere Press

Offers a pictorial history of the United States capital from its beginnings to the Metro and the Vietnam Memorial

Washington in Focus: A Photo History of the Nation's Capital

Vandamere Pr

Failing Grades: A Teachers Report Card on Education in America

Education & Teaching

Lockard, Karen

Schools & Teaching

In Honored Glory: Arlington National Cemetery : The Final Post

Hostile Fire: The Life & Death of First Lieutenant Sharon Lane

In Honored Glory : Arlington National Cemetery : The Final Post

In Honored Glory: Arlington National Cemetery, The Final Post

In Honored Glory: Arlington National Cemetery : The Final Post

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Books by Bigler, Philip