About — Zeke's Guide to History and the Humanities

NEW (social studies specific) webcomics uploaded regularly!

The Purpose of this Webcomic

If the only learning kids have about the past is that it contains several memorable (but irrelevant) historical figures and origin stories (“names and dates”), they are doomed to miss the behavior-informing takeaway of the content. There is a real need to inform future generations not only of what history books say, but what that information means for a larger narrative and why it matters to informing their lives beyond mere trivia. As a public school teacher of the subject, I want to provide a contribution that can address a real blind-spot in both academic and commercial publications about history.

As a teacher, it’s my job to make kids care about the past by using it to mold them into better citizens via learning life-lessons from past role models as well as general takeaways from within the discipline of social studies. Like I’m always telling my students: Experience is the best teacher, but fortunately it doesn’t have to be your own.

About me

For the past 13 years I’ve been teaching reading, writing and Social Studies to middle school students. The first 12 of those years were with middle school students in McMinnville, Oregon where I was the head of my social studies department. In 2014 I was even awarded the title of Oregon Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Last year I moved to the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, where I’m currently teaching 7th grade.

I hold a BA in English and Education and a minor in Art along with a Masters in Education.

Along with my love of teaching, my love of social studies and my love of middle school kids, I also love to draw cartoons. I’ve been drawing for years and regularly use my illustration skills to enhance my lessons. All illustrations on this page and their included designs are my own, original work. Recently, I’ve resolved to write my own webcomics and graphic novels that address both creative aspect of historical literacy and the post-modern sensibilities of middle school students.