I recently visited a classroom where a teacher was working with students to examine changes that are underway in schools regarding 'how' and 'from whom' we learn.  This educator insisted that students must work to examine the ways in which we communicate, interpret, and form culture. To do so, he worked with a photographer from National Geographic to bring small town history to life.  I was intrigued when, during our conversation, he told me that, “Teachers need to get beyond this idea that we are authoritative sources of knowledge, and instead seek out experts outside the walls of our schools. It was at that point that I took a little digital microphone and asked him to share some of his thoughts on a project that I have since referred to as ‘Big-time Thoughts from Seemingly Small-time Towns.”

Lately, I have been doing much more travelling than I would like to be doing.  This often means car traffic, airport delays, and of course…road food.  But it’s not all bad. You see, I have recently come to the realization just how many American cities have are host to what I call the Fame Phenomenon. 

We have all likely heard of the Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame and Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  But there also exists hundreds of lesser known Halls. Titusville, Florida for instance, hosts the Astronaut Hall of Fame.  Dayton, Ohio houses the National Aviation Hall of Fame.  There is even a Robot Hall of Fame in Pittsburg.   I recently spoke at an induction ceremony for the Teacher Hall of Fame.  There are hundreds of such sites around the country, run by organizations feeling the need to enshrine famous or illustrious individuals. To be deemed worthy of such an honor often requires nomination, a rigorous application and review process, and hopefully….selection by a group of electors.

The other day, I visited a classroom teacher who is capitalizing on this American obsession with elitism in the form of a Historical Hall of Fame with his students...