Marjie Mildenberger, Joanne Chow and Suzie Neff

Mildenberger and her colleagues’ innovative teaching idea, “The Story of Stumptown,” provides third graders with an opportunity to relive the history of Portland by portraying the pioneers who took the Oregon Trail to what would become Stumptown. With exceedingly limited resources, teachers are forced to use a sit-in-your-seat study program, which limits student engagement and interest about the curriculum. Students will peek into the past, research and write scripts, design sets, act and film their work for a youth-created, 90-minute documentary that will be shared with the community at the Stumptown Film Festival. As part of this experience, students will learn about the men who tossed a coin to name Stumptown; the woman who helped suffragettes get the right to vote; and other important events that shaped the city. Ultimately, the teachers hope the 90 third graders will become proficient and excited little historians.