Katherine Thrailkill considered careers in drama, law, and hi-tech sales before realizing all her interests and experiences pointed her toward teaching social studies. Once she found her calling, colleagues helped her make her way. A key mentor was Nancie Lindblom, the 2013 Arizona Teacher of the Year and a 2014 Graduate of the MAHG program. Thrailkill was a third-year teacher happily settled at Skyline High School in Mesa, AZ, when Lindblom phoned to ask her to apply for an opening at nearby Mountain View High. The request surprised and flattered her. Not only was Mountain View the high school from which she’d graduated; Lindblom was a teacher she admired. While earning her Masters in secondary school education at Arizona State University, she’d observed Lindblom’s class. “That’s the teacher I want to be,” she’d thought.

In recognition of her historic contribution to the fight for civil rights, Arkansas selected Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1914-1999) to be memorialized in a statue recently unveiled at the U.S. Capitol.

Applications open soon for our Spring 2025 Multi Day Seminars! We are hosting seminars on a variety of topics in American history and politics. The application will be open September 9-29, 2024. Some of our topics include: