His love of history runs deep

Trevor-Wilmot teacher one of four to receive national honor

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

The Civil War was a pivotal point in American History, where the future of the United States could have gone two ways, according to Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School teacher Jason Reinholz.

Reinholz, one of four teachers awarded The Civil War Trust Scholarship, received the honor citing enthusiasm and mission to preserve America’s battlefield lands.

Jason Reinholz
Jason Reinholz

The scholarship gives four teachers nationally an opportunity to attend a conference in Gettysburg, Pa., where he will receive a guided tour from site experts and absorb the sights, sounds and emotions connected to various key battles.

“I believe that point in American History was the greatest turning point during the 19th century,” Reinholz said. “This country had to decide what it’s future would be.”

The decision between continuing the road of industrialization or staying as an agricultural nation based partly on slavery was a difficult choice, Reinholz said.

“The war was tragic, but almost seemed inevitable,” Reinholz said. “Both sides believed their side was right and refused to back down.”

Part of the tour offers the four teachers a glimpse into both sides of the conflict, he said.

Reinholz, 38, has taught at Trevor-Wilmot since the start of his career in January 2001 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“I have always been interested in history but never thought about doing it as a career,” he said. “Now that I am teacher, I could not think about doing anything else.”

The honor is the school’s second prestigious acknowledgment after teacher Ashley Adams earned a trip to a NASA Ambassador program.

Reinholz believes the school’s track record is a testament to the Trevor-Wilmot school district, where administrators encourage out-of-the-box thinking, which benefits students.

“I believe the school administration and School Board gives us the flexibility to go beyond traditional education practices,” Reinholz said. “These practices allow us to reach more students and to make education more authentic.”

The full story appears in the May 20 edition of the Westosha Report

 


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