SPHS history teacher chosen to participate in geopolitics study

Spain Park High School teacher Jill Wallace has been selected as one of fourteen educators from across the United States to participate in a unique field study of South Korean geopolitics, culture and history during June 24-July 2.

Wallace was selected by the Northeast Asian History Foundation for this all-expenses-paid, eight-day experience.  The conference and its associated field-study in the southeastern region of the Korean Peninsula will enable Wallace to gain direct experience with the Korean people and their culture.

A one-day stop in Seoul, capital of South Korea, will focus the group on the geopolitics of the Korean Peninsula, and territorial/geographical naming issues that have persisted since the end of World War II. The field study will include observations at the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, visits to agricultural and industrial sites, the study of Seoul as one of the world’s largest cities and historical/cultural heritage sites representing the Peninsula’s 3000 year history.

Wallace teaches U.S. History and AP (Advanced Placement) Human Geography.  She already sees valuable classroom applications spawning from this experience.

“I am very excited about this professional opportunity to learn more about Korea. My grandfather was a bombardier in the Korean War and flew night missions in B29s. He was very excited when he found out I would be going to South Korea, wanting to know how it was over there today.  He passed away three days after I told him about the trip. Part of me wants to honor his memory by going on this trip,” Wallace said.

-Submitted by Jason Gaston