Tim NesSmith Rogue 577

Name- Tim NesSmith Content Area- Social Studies Location- LA   USA Current School- USS KIDD Veterans Museum Grade Level- Middle School Teaching Since- 1994 Twitter- @ Website-

I completed my student teaching and earned my degree in Social Studies Education from Louisiana State University in 1994. Afterward, I took a part-time job as a tour guide at the USS KIDD Veterans Museum (www.usskidd.com) while finishing up my certification tests. Even though I completed my certification, I never left the museum as I had discovered a really fantastic platform from which to teach history in the form of the KIDD. I have been there for almost 21 years and currently serve as the Ship Superintendent / Educational Outreach Coordinator. Over the past two decades, Star Wars and Star Trek have both been great resources from which to draw to help my tour groups better comprehend the military events and lifestyle that I teach about aboard ship. From explaining the role of a first officer or an engineer by connecting the concepts to CDR Riker and Mr. Scott, to explaining aerial dogfighting via using Wedge Antilles and Poe Dameron combating TIE fighters in their X-Wings or to comparing the battle droids' battle line formations on Naboo to the British redcoats' order of battle in the Battle of New Orleans, the movies have helped immensely. Even something as simple as comparing the differences in Corellian corvettes vs. Star Destroyers to those of a Fletcher-class destroyer vs. a Yamato-class battleship spark the light bulbs over my tour groups' heads. And I warn you not to underestimate the power of a good Yoda impression imploring "Patience! Patience!" when being assaulted by excited, eager-to-know-NOW Cub Scouts.

**All information shared with permission.