For the past 32 years, Steven Hilsabeck has served with the highest distinction as U.S. history teacher, advisor, coach, and administrator at New Trier High School in Northbrook. He has both single-handedly and collaboratively built a lasting foundation for a course of study that brings the humanities alive for high school students. Yet his commitment to the humanities goes beyond the walls of the schoolroom. Since his founding in 1983?and continuing stewardship of?the Council of American Studies Education, Mr. Hilsabeck has worked tirelessly to educate American history and literature teachers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area about the immense possibilities for humanities enrichment at the secondary level. In this entirely voluntary capacity, he is largely responsible for the growth of American Studies in high schools throughout Chicagoland. Moreover, he is an active member of the steering committee of the Urban/Suburban Northwestern Consortium, a group of schools committed to improving teacher training for diversity and to enhancing interactions among the races, as well as between Chicago and the North Shore elementary and secondary school districts. As Northbrook Village President Mark W. Damisch puts it, ?When [Mr. Hilsabeck] retires from New Trier at the end of the 2004-2005 academic year, he will be sorely missed, but his guidance in the field of humanities education will no doubt continue for years to come.?
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
