NAME:
Mr. Wellenreiter (with his brothers Tom, Dan, and Jim...he is the third one, counting from left to right)
SCHOOL:
Morton Junior High School, Morton, Illinois, USA
CLASS:
8th Grade Red Team American History
SCHOOL PHONE:
(309)266-6522
Howdy! My name is Ben Wellenreiter and I am the Red Team American History
teacher at Morton Junior High School in Morton, Illinois. I have been at MJHS
for 12 years. I was also an Instructional Assistant Professor in the
Curriculum and Instruction department at Illinois State University during the
past school year. While at ISU, I taught an undergraduate course in Middle
School Social Studies Teaching Methods.
I am currently a Doctoral Candidate (ABD, Ed.D.) in the Department of
Curriculum and Instruction at ISU. My dissertation research concerns
adolescent social behavior patterns in non-academic settings at school.
I received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)degree in social science education
from ISU in 1998, and a Master of Arts (M.A.)degree in school counseling from
Bradley in 2005.
I spent a portion of my summer 2009 in South Africa doing an educational
visit sponsored by the Council for Economic Education. I visited schools and
universities to learn how schools in South Africa integrate economic issues
into their curriculum. I have also been on study tours to England and Argentina.
While not doing schoolwork, I enjoy photography,(lightning,storms, natural
weather phenomena, etc) scuba diving, mountain biking, reading, and internet
research. I am also active within my church,(Bethel Lutheran, Morton). The
photo above is of my brothers and me, (a long time ago, back in the
1980's...or is that the 1880's?). We grew up on a farm about 20 miles
southeast of Morton near McLean. I also have a niece, Carleigh, and two
nephews, Dustin and Clayton.
My mission for the class is to assist my students in gaining a better
understanding of how events of the past affect their present and future.
Additionally, it is one of my goals to assist students in critically
examining the roles citizens must take to maintain a viable democracy.
My current research interests include how adolescents define and negotiate
social situations while in a school environment. I am also interested in how
students perceive and question authority structures in schools and what
philosophies of citizenship American schools choose to integrate into their
curriculums.
Certifications:
6-12 U.S. history, world history, world geography, sociology,
civics/government.
National Counseling Certification, (NCC)
Member, National Council for the Social Studies
SCUBA- Rescue Diver Level Certification
