Leigh Ann Erickson

IRON MOUNTAIN — A presentation about embracing the United States of America’s diverse background is coming soon to the Dickinson County Library. Noted high school teacher Leigh Ann Erickson invites the public to share with the nation’s children “a fuller truth, for a fuller community, and a fuller joy.” Parents, teachers, and community members are invited to join her and local teachers for a discussion of why and how to do this in our schools and homes.

“America has been built and shaped by many different ethnic, racial, and cultural groups. Though that has often led to conflict, it has also led to the rich multicultural character of our nation,” read a press release about the event. “The wellbeing of America depends in part on our ability to know, respect, and appreciate each other despite our different backgrounds. How can we nurture those abilities in our children?”

The free forum, called “To a Fuller Joy: Teaching Our Children about America’s Rich Multicultural Heritage,” will feature discussions with three local teachers in addition to keynote speaker Erickson.

The event is to be held at the main branch of the Dickinson County Library, located at 401 Iron Mountain St. in Iron Mountain on Wednesday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Erickson earned a BA in English and Spanish from the University of Delaware and an MA in Education from Pace University. She has taught in New York City, Chicago, rural Ohio and Iowa, and served as Assistant Principal in Iowa City, Iowa. Her recent experience also includes being Instructor of Composition and Discourse at Reach University, a nonprofit dedicated to offering working adults an affordable path to a university education.

All of these experiences changed Erickson’s approach to teaching and made her passionate about helping students to bridge racial and cultural divides. She continues her work with Geneva Campus Ministry, which is known for bringing distinguished speakers to the University of Iowa campus, such as Bishop Desmond Tutu and New York Times columnist David Brooks, while running her own business, Undone Consulting. Through Undone Consulting, Erickson provides teacher training, curriculum planning partnerships, and educational resources to schools. In 2018, she received the Women of Achievement Award from the Iowa Gazette newspaper, and in 2019 she was a finalist for Iowa Teacher of the Year. Erickson lives in Iowa City with her husband and four children.

Also speaking at the program are three local educators: Kristin Novara, second grade teacher with Breitung Township Schools; Kaye Miziniak, sixth grade teacher with Iron Mountain Public Schools; and Dawn Kranz, former K-12 music teacher for Norway-Vulcan Schools. They will share briefly how they seek to foster multicultural understanding in their own classrooms. After the presentations, there will be time for questions and discussion. Refreshments will be provided, and educational resources will be available.

The April 22 program is sponsored by the local group Christians for Racial Understanding: Community for All (CRU:CA). This is not a faith-based event, and everyone is welcome.

For more information, interested parties may contact Anda Tavonatti at azile489@yahoo.com or 906-239-6778.