Kris Demien

Born and raised in Milwaukee,Wisconsin. Bachelor's of UW-Milwakee; moved to Portland, Oregon in 1977, and been here ever since. Mother of 30 year old Army vet; divorced twice; single and not looking. Have written poetry and sci-fi, directed plays, sung musical comedy, rafted white-water, explored caves, and traveled the legendary roads of Ireland. Currently, I'm remodeling my bathroom, reading mystery novels, and orienting myself in AMF-ness.

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Janet Martin

Grant High School is the most ethnically diverse high school in the state of Oregon, with a long and proud tradition. I've taught English there for 23 years, from Title I Reading through Senior Honors courses granting college credit. I think I'm addicted to learning. I'm still trying to tweak  courses that any sane person would have cast in bronze long since, and to try new methods when they look promising. Last year, several Portland teachers were asked to pilot the Pacesetter course produced by the College Board and ETS, designed for heterogeneously grouped, "able" juniors or seniors. Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God is a part of the Pacesetter curriculum, and I've fallen in love with the book. We did a little research along with reading the novel, but there is much more my students could do to appreciate the time and the place in which the book is set,  and thereby appreciate the meanings.

The American Memory Fellows program offers a chance to combine love of research with the fun of web page design. The Internet has sure "come of age" in the ten years I've had students online, and now it's hard to remember research without it. It is VITAL that students not only access, but also judge the reliability of sources; they also need to learn to integrate source material with their own analysis. (I get passionate on this subject; watch out!)

As for the rest of me: born in Portland, lived here almost all my life; two grown sons, two wonderful grandkids, one dear husband who will stay home and take care of our Springer Spaniels while I go play in Washington.

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