Michael Hensinger: Board of Directors
Michael Hensinger is an educator who has been teaching students of all ages since 2011. He graduated from DeSales University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, later earning his teaching certification at Kutztown University. He has experience working within the classrooms of both public and private schools, as well as collaborating with other education professionals to develop their instructional practices. While a teacher, Michael helped introduce a Geography Bee, pilot a grant-funded STEM program using the TechyKids coding platform and collaborated with other professionals to launch school and district-wide 1:1 technology initiatives. His passion for history led him to his current position as the Manager of School Programs at the Museum of the American Revolution where he is responsible for training and developing museum educators, fostering relationships with K-12 professionals and organizations, and contributing his experience to program and curriculum development. He is a board game enthusiast and novice archer. Michael currently resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife Melissa and their rambunctious dog Fiona.
Vision Statement
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the site of some of the most defining historical moments in our nation, and with this heritage, also carries the responsibility to share and interpret it with the world. This task begins with the students in our schools. Together, education professionals in Pennsylvania must work to empower future citizens to think critically in a world where facts are increasingly challenged. Simultaneously, we must inspire a curiosity about the diverse stories within our history, both to create passion for our shared human story and to better engender the historical empathy that helps us understand people and events that we can sometimes feel far removed from.
These challenges are best met by Educators working together across a spectrum of schools and historical organizations. Cultural Institutions, classroom teachers, and historians have a wealth of experience and expertise to offer each other that can inform the future of education in the Commonwealth. By sharing our perspectives and resources, we are better equipped to work with students in authentic and meaningful ways that prepare them to use historical thinking skills in their day-to-day life, extract important lessons held within our shared history, and meet the challenges of today.