Posts

Historians are the Guardians of Forever!

As I hop out of the Guardian of Forever I think back to the last post that I made and realize that a lot of time has shifted! Oh no! Time to report back to Starfleet Command and let them know I've returned!  Outside of my classroom, I drew an image of the Guardian of Forever with its famous words " A question. Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question." which I believe sums up how some teachers feel in class after giving a short lecture covering an important topic. Also, the next exchange, in a tongue in cheek way, reminds me of teaching history to students:  KIRK: What are you? GUARDIAN: I am the Guardian of Forever. KIRK: Are you machine or being? GUARDIAN: I am both and neither. I am my own beginning, my own ending. SPOCK: I see no reason for answers to be couched in riddles. GUARDIAN: I answer as simply as your level of understanding makes possible. SPOCK: A time portal, Captain. A gateway to other times and dim...

Incoming Transmission! Lower Decks Announcement

Coming soon! My brother and I will be making a podcast focusing on the new series Star Trek: Lower Decks! What happens when two brothers who grew up watching Star Trek together and who both have a love of animation sit down and discuss the latest episodes of Lower Decks? Tune in and find out! See you, out there! 

Far Beyond the Stars

Hello reader! I shared the text below with the staff I work with. It is tragic this episode is still critically relevant. Systemic racism is real in America and has been since it's inception. As a Historian, I know this all too well and it is my obligation to point it out, identify it, and discuss/help people plan to most past it, away from racism, and towards equity.  Star Trek has shaped me in many ways and DS9 is my favorite of all the series because it dealt with social issues in an unflinching manner. It is deep, poignant, and most of all, genuine. If you've seen Far Beyond the Stars, you know how important that episode is to the current situation. The other episode which is also incredibly relevant is Past Tense. I will post about PT later. Anyway, here is something to check out.  ---- Hi all,  As you all know, I am a huge Trekkie and in the past week my mind has kept going back to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's episode "Far Beyond the Stars" (Season 6 Episode...

On Screen-Teaching Remotely

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Last time on "Trekkie History Teacher"... When the pandemic broke out, I did not think I was going to be out of my classroom for months. I thought a few weeks at most and then we would return to some semblance of normal. I was being overly optimistic. I instead found myself creating new work for my students, attending countless meetings, and setting up my at home virtual classroom on the fly. I felt like Sisko and the DS9 crew when they had to abandon the station.  When we left school in March, I left the Batman coffee mug I am known for having behind on my desk as a symbol that we would return to class soon. Like Captain Sisko's baseball that he left behind on his desk when he left DS9, the mug has taken on new meaning. It sits on my classroom desk as a silent, persistent symbol of defiant hope. Teachers will not be defeated by this virus. Schools will reopen and we will all stand together again to learn from each other and grow as people. On a semi-related and more upbe...

Star Trek Pizza!

Hi all! This post was originally going to be posted much earlier but because of the pandemic, I had to make certain my students were all set! This "Captain" has to take care of his crew! So, as I was watching the Star Trek: Picard episode Nepenthe I found myself getting hungry as Riker was making an awesome bunnycorn sausage pizza! I love pizza as many do and I started to think of a conversation I had with my brother a long time ago... Each Star Trek is different and many times people ask "Which Star Trek is the 'best'?" I love em all but I don't love them all the same. So, my brother and I came up with an idea- Almost everyone loves pizza but pizza comes in many forms and types. Star Trek is like that! Many people are staying in and eating pizza during this COVID-19 pandemic, so, why not do the classic pairing of Trek and pizza? Keep in mind, your list may differ from mine as regions, tastes, and replicator settings may vary. Also note- I grew up...

Growing up with Spock and an introduction

"Check the circuit!" Spock stated as he strode down the bridge to stand next to Captain Pike. The opening scene of "The Cage" is not my first memory of Spock but it is the first line spoken in all of Trek and our first introduction to Mr. Spock. granted, "The Cage" was not picked up by NBC and the scene just described is not seen until it is spliced together later into "The Margarine" but hey, this is an introduction to my Star Trek blog and as a Historian and History teacher, I figure I should start with the first line of what was the first fully made episode of Trek. My goal for this blog is to explore Trek as it relates to me, education/teaching, and to have some fun because really, the fan community is awesome and we all need to have fun! Each week I will focus on a topic and hopefully, you will enjoy what I write. Alright, let's go! -- School has always played an important role in my life. I loved and still do love going to school a...