[teacher education]
The Appalachian Experience makes a difference in the community The Patton College’s Teacher Education program, “Southeast Ohio: The Appalachian Experience,” provides a historic marker By Nicole Bersani
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r. Frans Doppen, associate professor in Curriculum and Instruction, Middle Childhood Education, and Social Studies Education in The Patton College, developed a four credit hour summer course called “Southeast Ohio: The Appalachian Experience.” The one week interactive workshop brings together students and faculty members that share a common interest in environmental issues, education, history, culture and civic tourism in Appalachian Ohio. In a short period of time, participants are exposed to classroom readings concerning the project’s history and issues. Collaborating with course instructors, the students engage in field experiences, lecture presentations and group discussions as well as service learning projects. “The openness and collaboration gives people the chance to take ownership over their experiences with the project,” Dr. Doppen said. Matt Carlstrom, teacher at Alexander Middle School, alumnus of The Patton College in Middle Childhood Education and participant in the first historical marker, agreed with Dr. Doppen. He was impressed that the workshop integrates ecotourism, history and geography. It allows participants to get off campus and go beyond Athens city limits to experience hands-on explorations in places they may otherwise never know existed. The workshop then developed the process in creating “markers” around the Appalachian community in order to research, fundraise and recognize historic places. “Many of these important places aren’t very well highlighted to the average person,” Carlstrom said. “So, we got the idea for the historical marker that most people could take the time and recognize if there is a marker.” The first marker dedication the workshop program placed was in Rendville, a small community in Perry County, Ohio, and 40 minutes north of the Ohio University campus. Established in 1879 by Chicago industrialist William P. Rend, Rendville
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became known as a place where African Americans broke the color barrier. Dr. Isaiah Tuppins, Adam Clayton Powell, Roberta Preston, Richard L. Davis and Sophia Mitchell are the most known examples of African Americans who broke through the color hurdles and into successful careers such as medical, governmental and religious leadership positions surrounding the community. Each one of these individuals led the struggle against racism throughout not only Rendville, but also the rest of the Appalachian Ohio. Standards set by the Ohio Historical Society have a strict system for markers, which require sponsorships, a review board, a historical documentation and an application form. For the Appalachian Experience’s first marker dedication, it took about three years to get funding, complete the application and gain official recognition. The official dedication and celebration was on Oct. 21, 2010, for the Southern Perry County community’s coal mining town of Rendville. The unveiling was hosted by The Patton College along with the Village of Rendville, Sunday Creek Associates, the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council and the Ohio Historical Society. The next historic marker will start this summer for a cemetery in Rendville. The cemetery is a burial site for Richard L. Davis who was an African American labor organizer during the late nineteenth century and very prominent in the United Mine Workers of America. Sophia Mitchell, who was Ohio’s first African American woman mayor in 1969, was buried in the same cemetery as well. “There are two very unique people that are just waiting to be acknowledged,” said Dr. Doppen. “It’s not all about taking places but also about giving places revitalization.” These marker dedication areas are ideal locations for rest spots and welcome centers for tourists as well as educational field trips that can not only preserve the historical background but also renew the community where it stands.