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EHE News

Teacher Paul LaRue engages students as history detectives

LaRue with students and veterans

Paul LaRue (center) and his 2009 class of seniors interviewed World War II veterans, including Louie Kuhlwein ('49 OSU), right, and Fred DiDomenico ('49, physical education). LaRue has won state and national recognition for encouraging students to research history. (Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc.)

Paul LaRue ('81 Education), a teacher at Washington High School in Washington Court House, Ohio, knows his 12th-graders learn best when they get out of the classroom and gain hands-on experience with people and the world around them.

That's why in 1998 he developed the Research History course, an elective for seniors that carries the hallmarks of his teaching: he gets students involved in using primary source historical data and materials. Over the years, his students have researched the Underground Railroad in Ohio, excavated an important Ohio African-American historic site, interviewed World War II veterans, and more.

"I get the kids to inventory grave stones of Civil War soldiers, read actual burial records and pension files, and write biosketches about these men," LaRue explains. "They interview veterans from WWII and create oral histories. They learn firsthand the benefits of collecting and using actual history and putting it on the Internet to share."

In recognition, LaRue recently won a 2009 National Teacher Award from Time Warner Cable. He was honored this past June with other teachers who created winning projects at a gala celebration in Washington, D.C. Time Warner Cable honored LaRue for using HBO programming and an online National Teach-In about Abraham Lincoln as teaching tools for his students.

"My recognition is really a reflection on my students and the community because our work is a team effort," LaRue says, displaying his usual modesty. "As a former wrestling coach, I know the majority of the credit goes to your players. I just want students to see the importance of collecting history and making it accessible."

Students get their hands dirty at the Gist Settlement

One year, LaRue arranged for his students to dig at the Gist Settlement in Highland County, Ohio. When Samuel Gist died in 1815, the Englishman left his Virginian slaves their freedom, the promise of land for their families, and support from a trust fund from his estate.

Gist settlement agents purchased land in Ohio for these people, including the last existing site in Highland County. As of 1840, 18 families totaling 105 persons lived there.

For three consecutive years, a new group of students each year worked with archaeologist Jarrod Burks of Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc. They excavated an old well, unearthing buttons, coins, and other artifacts. They documented their finds with digital cameras and built a Web site that helps preserved records of this important historic site.

"You would've never guessed that finding pieces of a plate or shards of glass would make one smile," said one student, "but they were clues to the bigger puzzle of who these people were."

"The archeological dig was the perfect opportunity for me to feel like I have helped restore our country's history," said another.

From student government president to award-winning teacher

LaRue grew up in rural Ohio on his family's farm between Lancaster and New Lexington. He expected to major in agriculture at Ohio State, like many of his friends. But because he had always loved history, he switched to social studies education soon after his arrival and never regretted it.

As a senior, LaRue campaigned for president of Undergraduate Student Government and won. This role served as a springboard for working with Nancy Zimpher ('68 BS, '76 PhD), who was then an associate dean and later, dean. LaRue remembers with pride being called upon by Zimpher to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the college, meeting with and speaking to many alumni and guests.

LaRue also remembers Professors M. Eugene Gilliom ('58 MA, '62 PhD) and Ray Muessig with great appreciation. "They were legendary professors who prepared us well for our student teaching," LaRue says. "Ohio State gave me such a great foundation, and it has served me well in my career. I probably wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today if it weren't for Ohio State."

The 25-year teaching veteran, who started at Washington High School in 1985, has won additional awards for teaching excellence, including:

His students have received state and national recognition as well. In 2005, his class was selected by The History Channel as one of 17 national finalists in the "Save Our History" awards competition.

Recently, The Ohio State University Alumni Association featured LaRue, a life member, in the alumni magazine, along with his students and the two WWII veterans they were interviewing. Read the Ohio State Alumni Magazine article (pdf).

LaRue presents several teacher inservice events each year for various institutions. Most recently, he presented for Ohio State and for the Washington D.C., school district. Teachers may access two of LaRue's lesson plans on the Web:

LaRue's student-developed Web sites are:

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