COLUMNIST AMANDA POLASKI: A lesson plan remembered 60 years later

Apparently, if you wanted something done in 1947 you asked a classroom of seventh grade students and their teacher, Mrs. Nina Ferdelman to do it. I was ?introduced? to this group of go-getters by Mark Thompson, the curator of the Presque Isle County Historical Museum, in order to ?get the facts? for a story that is included in this week?s edition of The Advance. Without giving too much away, the group of 19 students were led by their dynamic teacher on a writing project that would affect people 60 years from the time they embarked on it. The book this young group compiled and wrote, Virgin Forests to Modern Homes, is the backbone of Rogers City?s historical literature today ? being the first resource local historians use to begin their research.

The book itself is amazing ? words really can?t touch how astounding it is that a group of seventh grade students were able to write a book comprised of more than 30,000 words. It is a book that gives first-hand knowledge from some of Rogers City?s most prominent settlers. It discusses, in great detail, how Rogers City was founded, settled, and how it grew over the span of 77 years ? from 1870 to 1947. I was instantly attracted to the story ? and more so, to the story of one teacher who decided it was possible to take her students on an educational journey they most likely never forgot.

When taking a first glance at a faded picture of Mrs. Ferdelman, it?s easy to dismiss her as just another person in the background. She doesn?t stand out in the picture, and she almost seems to be hiding behind the students ? not necessarily wanting the limelight. It?s hard to make out the expression on Mrs. Ferdelman?s face in this particular photograph, but I like to imagine she is smiling because she is proud. It?s hard enough to get adults to take notice of the history that belongs to Rogers City, but to get 19 seventh grade students to not only take notice, but to write a book about it, is no small feat.

Mrs. Ferdelman was no small feat. She taught in Rogers City for 45 years. Forty-five is not a small number when discussing how long you want to work before you retire ? especially when you are talking about retiring from a job that has you working with children five days a week. Some people walk into a room of students, and within five minutes feel overwhelmed and ready to leave. Multiply that by 45 years, and you have Mrs. Ferdelman?s experience.

Many people will argue that students were different back then ? I?ve heard that classrooms then were ?more manageable.? Perhaps that is true ? students today are dealing with more stress in their lives outside of school. Today it is not uncommon to discuss ADHD, medication, a broken home, low economic status, and learning disabilities all in one meeting — about one student. That isn?t to say students back in 1947 didn?t have their share of stress, but it might be fair to say that current students are undergoing that stress multiplied by a lot.

Yet, I?m still impressed with Mrs. Ferdelman. Many teachers strive to create worthwhile lesson plans, but to create one that is talked about 60 years later is golden. Perhaps I?m impressed because of my love for Rogers City?s historical past. I turn into an instant geek over the topic. I think the history of our area is so important to keep alive in the minds of our young Rogers City residents. Even more, I agree it is equally important to get our stories written down, recorded for all of those young minds in the future.

Mrs. Ferdelman felt the same. Better yet, she believed enough in her students to imagine the possibility of them writing their own book on the history of their own area. Perhaps she did this to help her students co

nnect to their hometown roots. Perhaps she saw a need for our history to be recorded for time?s sake. Perhaps she just turned into an instant geek over our rich historic past. I?m not sure what could have inspired Mrs. Ferdelman to instruct her students to partake in such a time consuming task, but I sure am glad she had the guts to do it. It is teachers like Mrs. Ferdelman who have given teaching a good name. And it is teachers like Mrs. Ferdelman who continue to inspire and challenge young minds. Thanks to her and those 19 seventh grade students from 1947, we now have the opportunity to continue sharing our history.

(Virgin Forests to Modern Homes has been reprinted, and 101 limited edition copies will be available for sale at the Presque Isle County Historical Museum, starting November 24.)