If you haven't had the chance to hear Mike Mihalik's Classification talk on May 21st you're going to want to take a listen! Part of the Rotary experience is learning from one another and gaining new perspectives through the stories of our members. We all have unique gifts to offer the world, Mike Mihalik, has the gift of opening up young minds through unique approaches to education.
During HIS time as a student at the University of Delaware, Mike took a Geology class where he was exposed to new interests. These new ideas led to a passion for nature and the environment. This unexpected path began his major in Earth and Space Science Education. Mike is now the Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction (STEM) for the East Penn School District. He has been with the district for 15 years, 13 of which he taught Earth and Space Sciences. He aims to inspire students to find new interests and passions just like his professor helped him to do because students can find unexpected paths in all sorts of ways. For example, someone may be learning about the environment and find a new interest in photography. Mike believes in opening up opportunities that offer hands on experiences outside of the classroom and gets kids learning in different, exciting ways. The East Penn Outdoors School, EHS National Parks Club, and Jasper Learning Initiative are three programs he has developed that allow kids to learn by doing, give students the opportunity to travel, and offer project based learning in the community.
Mike's love of nature has taken him on adventures to 58 of the 62 U.S. National Parks. He and his Wife Bethany were even married at Rocky Mountain National Park. Mike's wife is the President of the Board for the Lehigh County Humane Society and they have a rescue dog and cat.
While Mike is newer to our Club through his participation with the East Penn teachers group, he is no stranger to Rotary. His Grandfather (pictured above) was a Rotarian for 60 years and Mike was selected to travel to Zambia as part of the Rotary Teacher Exchange in 2015. He worked with Emmaus Rotary Club to initiate the first ever Rotary Vocational Training Team for Literacy in the world with projects that are still going today in Zambia. Mike is going to do some pretty amazing things with Emmaus Rotary Club and the students of EPSD. Who knows what unexpected paths he will lead us on!
Click the link below to catch Mike's presentation.