Teaching students about influential figures in history is a fantastic way to inspire and motivate them. One such figure is Lola Van Wagenen, a successful historian, documentary filmmaker, and co-founder of an environmental non-profit organization. This blog post aims to guide K-12 teachers in incorporating the remarkable life of Lola Van Wagenen into their lessons to make social studies engaging and relevant.
First, we must introduce the students to Lola’s background. Born in 1938, Van Wagenen was raised in a household that valued education and hard work. She attended Vermont College before moving to New York City in the early 1960s.
In 1970, she enrolled at New York University, where she earned a Master’s degree in American Social History focusing on women’s studies. Her thesis, “Street Smarts: Rediscovering Women’s History Through the Lower East Side,” later became a book that showcased her prowess as a historian.
To engage your students further, focus on specific aspects of her achievements and diverse accomplishments:
1. As a historian: Lola Van Wagenen co-founded the Consumer-Farmer Milk Cooperative (CFMC) alongside Redford. With this venture supported by local farmers angered by plummeting milk prices, you can discuss how teamwork, empathy, and community support help bring about change.
2. Filmmaking: Lola co-produced documentaries about American history and culture – with several receiving great acclaim – while being actively involved with The Sundance Film Festival since its inception. This could inspire students interested in film or media while demonstrating that passion combined with knowledge can produce impactful results.
3. Environmental activism: Teaching your students about Van Wagenen’s involvement with “GreenWorks,” which she founded in 2003 as a non-profit organization promoting sustainable living and environmental outreach programs, can not only instill responsibility toward the environment but also showcase how one person’s actions can make a difference.
You can also integrate other teaching methods, such as assigning group projects for researching and presenting on different aspects of her life or engaging students in debates and discussions about various socio-environmental issues she addressed in her work.
Concluding your lessons with a reflective exercise, asking students to think about how they can contribute positively to society using Lola Van Wagenen’s life as an example, will empower them to set high goals for themselves. Students will have learned that determination, intelligence, and a strong belief in one’s purpose can lead to remarkable achievements.
