November 2025 encourages gratitude, cultural appreciation, and reflection on history, inspiring educational opportunities that celebrate heritage, recognize contributions, and foster critical thinking and community engagement.

Ada Ferrer's "Cuba: An American History" redefines US-Cuba relations, blending personal insights with rigorous scholarship, making it essential for understanding intertwined histories and contemporary foreign policy.

A failed 1952 coup against Batista could have sparked Caribbean unity, leading to a confederation resisting imperialism and fostering democracy, transforming regional dynamics significantly.

King George III, who reigned from 1760 to 1820, significantly influenced British history through military conflicts, imperial expansion, and personal struggles, shaping the pre-Victorian global order.

Using books like LOTR and Frankenstein to evaluate screenwriting process and teach suspense is a great activity for October.

October 2025 offers educational opportunities celebrating cultural heritage, historical milestones, and scientific discoveries, inspiring students to appreciate diversity and develop critical thinking skills for the future.

"The Ornament of the World" by María Rosa Menocal explores the collaborative cultural achievements of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in medieval Spain, emphasizing their tolerance and intellectual exchange.

Adobe Creative Educators uses monthly challenges to try new activities in Adobe Express each month please enjoy my take on the September and October challenges for fall 2025. #AdobeEduCreative

Toledo became a crucial hub for knowledge transfer between Islamic and Christian worlds after its conquest in 1085, sparking the Renaissance and laying foundations for modern European civilization.

Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote" revolutionized the novel form, explored the human condition, offered social commentary, and inspired various adaptations across art forms.

John Marshall, Chief Justice for 34 years, shaped American law, established judicial review, and balanced federal and state powers, creating a framework for national unity and growth.

Medieval Spain was a tolerant, multicultural society where Muslims, Christians, and Jews collaborated intellectually, preserving and expanding knowledge, influencing Europe's Renaissance, and shaping modern Hispanic culture.

Image generated using Google Gemini Image prompt:Create a neon sign with the words Be Kind in blue neon over the empty parking of a rural grocery store in the American Midwest. Night time image. Aspect ratio 16:9

Otto von Bismarck's early death during the Franco-Prussian War could have escalated the conflict into a widespread European war, drastically altering history and delaying German unification.

Yesterday, some of the great seasons and episodes of modern TV were awarded with Emmys. While some of the actors were snubbed, Andor is by far one of my favorite shows this past year, and I must confess that the episode, "Who Are You?" that won Best Editing is probably my favorite hour in Star Wars canon currently. I truly enjoy this entire series and rewatch it quite often, even though it's been out for less than a year.

September 2025 is an opportunity for educators to foster inclusive classroom communities by celebrating cultural heritage, promoting mental health awareness, and addressing significant historical events.

Hurricane Katrina's legacy shapes American disaster response, education reform, and climate preparedness. Its lessons remain vital as new disasters emerge, highlighting ongoing challenges and adaptation needs.

Image created by Abolitionists Society in England working to end the global slave trade. The legacy of slavery in the United States spans over 250 years and fundamentally shaped our nation's development. From 1619 to 1865, millions of Africans and African Americans were enslaved, their labor building much of the economic foundation of colonial America and the early republic. Understanding this history means recognizing both the profound injustices endured and the remarkable resilience, resistance, and contributions of enslaved people.

Harry Turtledove's Southern Victory series examines an alternate history where the Confederacy wins the Civil War, exploring its implications through complex characters and insightful themes.

St. Napoleona Day illustrates how political leaders manipulate cultural traditions to enhance power, shaping national identity while intertwining Napoleon's legacy with religious significance in France.

Martyn Rady's "The Middle Kingdoms" presents a comprehensive history of Central Europe, emphasizing its unique identity and detailing the complexity of its regional cultures for general readers.

Starting year 23 for me and my classroom adventures.

This article presents an alternate history of D-Day, exploring how different strategic decisions by Roosevelt and Churchill could have reshaped World War II and the post-war era.

When most Americans think of Civil War heroes, they envision generals like Grant and Sherman, or politicians like Lincoln and Douglas. But the war's most profound victory may have belonged to a girl born into slavery who would transform American education forever. The Forgotten Dimension of Civil War Victory The Civil War ended slavery, but what came next? How do four million newly freed people, denied education by law for centuries, suddenly become full participants in American democracy?

August 2025 offers opportunities to celebrate diversity, honor history, and inspire students' engagement.