Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does this cost?
A: Nothing. It's
Free.
There is no charge for the presentation and no request for expenses.
I won't accept any honoraria or payment.
Q: How far will you travel?
A: Generally, I put a limit of a 50-mile radius
from San Ramon, CA 94583. Further than that would be quite a
trip.
Q: How long are the presentations?
A: It depends on how much time you have per class.
Many schools use the "block" or "core" system, where there are 2
sequential class periods. This allows for 90-100 minute
presentations, while some classes are as short as 45 minutes.
Either is acceptable, but I recommend at least 90 minutes. On
rare instances, I have done 120 minutes long -- which is great!
Q: When do you do your presentations?
A: My calendar follows the most common calendar for
local schools: Revolutionary War in the Fall and Civil War in
the Spring.
Q:Why are you doing this?
A: I love history. It's fun for me and I have
had students come to me 3 or 4 years later and tell me that my
presentation made history a more appealing subject. I enjoy
making it come alive for students.
Study after study shows that history is considered the most boring subject in school by teens. That's a sad fact. America has a rich history built by many diverse people. If I can make it more interesting, even for a couple of hours, maybe they will appreciate it more.