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Academics
Upper School | Gr. 9-12
Exploring History Through the Millard Travel Grant: Teachers Bring Global Perspectives to the Classroom
The Millard Faculty Travel Grant, established in 1997, has been a transformative opportunity for Severn School educators, enabling them to deepen their professional expertise and enrich their teaching.
This grant, generously funded by Steve Millard '51, has supported over 38 faculty members in their pursuit of global learning experiences. Recently, three teachers—Mike McCarthy, Renie Sotiropoulos, and Jason Salinas—embarked on journeys to Europe, bringing back invaluable insights to share with their students.
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Mike McCarthy: Walking Through History in Italy
For Mike McCarthy, a World History teacher, his trip to Italy was a journey through the heart of Western civilization. From the grandeur of the Colosseum to the artistic treasures of Florence, McCarthy immersed himself in the landmarks that have shaped history.
“I began in Rome, walking through the Colosseum, standing inside the Pantheon, and exploring the Roman Forum,” McCarthy shared. “Seeing the scale of Roman engineering and political spaces in person completely changed how I think about teaching the Roman Empire. It’s one thing to show a picture—it’s another to stand in a space that shaped Western civilization.”
His travels also took him to Vatican City, Florence, Venice, and Milan, where he explored the intersections of geography, religion, art, and politics. From the Sistine Chapel to da Vinci’s The Last Supper, McCarthy gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural movements and historical forces that shaped Europe.
Impact on Teaching:
McCarthy’s experience has transformed his classroom. “I now tell students, ‘When I was standing in the Forum…’ or ‘When you see how massive the Colosseum actually is…’ That credibility changes the energy in the room,” he explained. By sharing personal photos and observations, he brings history to life, emphasizing its tangible and interconnected nature. “It reminded me that history is not abstract. It is lived, built, and preserved.”
McCarthy’s experience has transformed his classroom. “I now tell students, ‘When I was standing in the Forum…’ or ‘When you see how massive the Colosseum actually is…’ That credibility changes the energy in the room,” he explained. By sharing personal photos and observations, he brings history to life, emphasizing its tangible and interconnected nature. “It reminded me that history is not abstract. It is lived, built, and preserved.”
Renie Sotiropoulos: Gaining Perspective on D-Day in France
Renie Sotiropoulos brings her perspective as a U.S. History teacher to her trip to France. Sotiropoulos has long taught D-Day, but her trip to the Normandy beaches gave her a new perspective on the scale and significance of the event. “I’ve never actually been to these landing sites before,” she said. “It was quite the experience to see how many miles this beach was—its miles and miles of beach. It just kept going.”
Driving along the coast, Sotiropoulos visited Omaha Beach and other key sites, where monuments and vistas serve as constant reminders of the sacrifices made. “You are surrounded by a panorama of gorgeous vistas, which makes for quite the contrast from the massive world event that took place here.” She also brought three of her four sons on the trip, including one who is a National Guardsman, adding a personal connection to the experience.
Impact on Teaching:
Sotiropoulos plans to incorporate her newfound perspective into her lessons. “When I teach this in May, I’ll be able to emphasize the planning and sheer scale of the operation,” she said. She also intends to use Google Earth images to help students visualize the geography and scale of the invasion. Her trip underscores the importance of connecting historical events to real-world locations, making history more relatable and impactful for her students.
Sotiropoulos plans to incorporate her newfound perspective into her lessons. “When I teach this in May, I’ll be able to emphasize the planning and sheer scale of the operation,” she said. She also intends to use Google Earth images to help students visualize the geography and scale of the invasion. Her trip underscores the importance of connecting historical events to real-world locations, making history more relatable and impactful for her students.
Jason Salinas: Tracing the Path of War and Literature
English teacher Jason Salinas spent 11 days in France and England, focusing on the literature and history of war. His journey began at Normandy, where he toured Omaha Beach with his family. “It was surreal to just be walking around on such a site.”
Salinas encourages his students to explore nuances when studying world events. He employs an unconventional approach by emphasizing that fiction can sometimes provide valuable perspective on nonfictional events. “Take Saving Private Ryan, for example,” Salinas explains. “It’s a fictional story, but it adds depth and character to a real-life event. It’s a powerful tool to bring history to life.”
Salinas also visited the Churchill War Rooms in London, tracing the path of the D-Day invasion from planning to execution. A self-proclaimed Churchill enthusiast, he found inspiration in the museum’s portrayal of Churchill’s successes and failures. “It helps tell students about a man’s life—someone very successful but who also endured many pitfalls and reversals.”
Impact on Teaching:
Salinas incorporates his experiences into the classroom by emphasizing the importance of multiple perspectives, and the varied narratives of war. “There is some ethos in saying, ‘I’ve been to these places, I’ve walked these paths,’” he said. This experience has allowed Salinas to encourage his students to explore the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for history and literature.
Salinas incorporates his experiences into the classroom by emphasizing the importance of multiple perspectives, and the varied narratives of war. “There is some ethos in saying, ‘I’ve been to these places, I’ve walked these paths,’” he said. This experience has allowed Salinas to encourage his students to explore the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for history and literature.
