The Ohio Study Tour for 2005 took place June 28-July 13, 2005 along the Silk Road in China. The trip was led by Dr. Mark Bender, Professor of East Asian Languages and Literature at OSU, Jenny Spolnik-Greathouse, P-12 Outreach Coordinator, Office of International Affairs at OSU, and Zhiwei Bi, Assistant Director for Outreach, Institute for Chinese Studies at OSU.

Information, adapted from http://daltontours.nstemp.com/tour_itin50.htm

The Silk Road was once the most important route for commerce. It is a history lesson of religion and cultures. Merchants and animals traveled this inhospitable area challenged by intense heat of the deserts, lack of water, and high mountain passes. Death was common. The caravans carried cargos of silk, spices and incense, gemstones, tea, and other goods.

Xian was the starting place of the Silk Road at its easternmost terminus. A few locals in the village have traveled to the USA and other countries promoting exhibitions of their art works in galleries and botiques. The paintings are inexpensive but highly collectable. The Terra Cotta Warriors are the most famous tourist site in Xian.

Urumqi is the most land locked place on earth. Lake Tianchi in the mountains is brilliant blue and surrounded by hills with fir trees. This area is home to Kazakh families. They live in yurts and are known for their superb horsemanship.

The major reason for visiting Kashgar is the world famous Sunday Bazaar. Many ethnic minority people participate. This is the most colorful Asian bazaar which is least changed for centuries. Thousands of people come to sell produce, spices, nuts and dried fruits, fresh fruits and melons and grapes, tea, livestock including sheep and cashmere goats, Kashgari (nan) bread, rock sugar, colorful rugs and silks and furs. The enthusiastic traders add to the excitement of this chaotic market.

Turpan lies in a great land depression, 505 feet below sea level. It is a grape and melon oasis. It is situated on the northern border of the Taklamakan Desert.

Nearby is the lost city ruin and military outpost of Jiaohe. Gaochang is an ancient city surrounded by walls of yellow, beaten earth, 39 feet thick at the base. Gaochang and Jiaohe are two of China's best preserved ancient cities. The Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Caves that are also known as Ten Thousand Buddha Caves are also nearby. They are situated high above the river gorge with thousand years old painted murals.

Dunhuang is one of the world's most engaging archaeological sites. Devout worshippers carved the Magao Temple Caves from steep cliffs. These Grottos contain some of the most fabulous Buddhist art in the world today. The Gobi Desert is in Dunhuang, where tourists are treated to sunset camel rides.

Participant Bios

Maureen Andreadis
As a child, my favorite way to spend days was to play dress-up. I moved from Queen of the Nile to Olympian goddess to Empress of China with the swish of an old sequined gown. The magnificence of history always intrigued me. Jumping to life as a middle school teacher certainly proved a natural progression. I currently teach 7th & 8th grade social studies at the Academy of World Languages, a Cincinnati City School. My undergraduate degree is in fine art and my graduate degree is in history. I live in Cincinnati with my 19-year-old daughter. Occasionally, I still play dress-up!

Brad Dillman
I have been a Social Studies teacher for 7 years. I currently teach Economics, Government, and Modern World History at Gilbert A. Dater High School, part of Cincinnati Public Schools. I served four years in the U.S Army, 82nd Airborne, veteran of Desert Storm earning rank of sergeant. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.A. in History, B.S. in Secondary Education, and a Masters in Secondary Education. I have been married 11 years with two daughters ages 4 and 6. Recently, I coached a group of students winning the 2005 Ohio State Economics Challenge.

Mary Ann Ellis
I am in my sixteenth year of teaching in the Cincinnati Public Schools. I have taught English and history to seventh through eleventh graders during that time. I also worked outside of the classroom for three years, assisting and evaluating teachers. I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati. I attained National Board certification in 1999. I am married to Bruce, who teaches science at the same school I do. So, we get to spend a lot of quality time together (talking about Prom, research papers, and Student Council).

Rob Fetters
I grew up near Columbus, studied political science at Wittenberg, history at Bowling Green, and education at Toledo. For the past six years, I have taught social studies students at Mount Vernon High School. For six years before that, I taught a variety of students in a private school, in a halfway house, and in a prison. My wife Khampraseuth and I live in Columbus with our daughters Hannah Viengsamai (7) and Erin BounLieng (4). Khampraseuth teaches 4th grade at Columbus School for Girls where Hannah is in 1st grade and Erin is in preschool. I’m looking forward to China.

Susan Gould
Hello to everyone! CHINA!! This is by far the most exciting experience I have had in my 23 yrs. as an educator. My travels have included many parts of the U.S., Canada and a very limited visit to Mexico, but I have never left the North American continent. I currently teach 7th grade Social Studies to students with learning disabilties and 6th, 7th and 8th grade Art at Luis Munoz Marin Middle School in the Cleveland Municipal School District. I do hope my two daughters and son behave themselves while I am gone! I will miss them, my cat and dog, and riding my Trek bike.

David Harms
I graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School in 1989. I worked as a landscape artist for the next ten years. In 2000, I decided to go to Bowling Green State University to pursue a teaching degree in social studies. In 2001 I had the opportunity to study in West Africa. After graduation I was hired at Penta Career Center, where I have been ever since. In my spare time, I am a member of Alternative Rock band, Tinfoil. Tinfoil is completing their 13th CD and we hope to release it this summer.

Ross Madak
I am from Columbia Station, Ohio. I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio University and my graduate degree from Kent State. This is my 4th year teaching 7th Grade Social Studies at Columbia Middle School. I help with extracurricular activities such as golf, track, chess club, and ski club. The travel bug has bitten me ever since I went to Japan in order to do my student teaching. I have since traveled to Mexico, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. I look forward to more chances to travel abroad and share those experiences with my students.

Dennis Prenger
I currently teach Social Studies at Fort Loramie Local Schools in Fort Loramie, Ohio. My teaching duties include ninth grade World History and tenth grade Geography. I am also an assistant Cross Country coach in the fall. I am a 1987 graduate of Minster High School and a 1993 graduate of The Ohio State University. I reside in Minster, Ohio with my wife Christa and my two children Kyle (6) and Courtney (4). I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, running, watching high school and Ohio State athletics, camping, snowmobiling and traveling.

June Price
I am an accomplished educator with outstanding credentials and a proven record of personal involvement at all levels of the education process. I received my undergraduate degree from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. I have been employed as an educator in Cleveland, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana and Swanton, Ohio, comprising more than twenty years in secondary education. I currently work as a teacher in the English Department of the Swanton Local School. I am completing a Master's Program in Organizational Management at Spring Arbor University in Toledo, Ohio. In addition to my teaching duties, I have served as the English Department Chairperson and spearheaded the Swanton Local School Diversity Initiative for the district.

Holly Ruggles
I have taught art 28 years, the last eighteen at Bellefontaine High School. I received my BFA at Wittenberg, my MA at Wright State, and I am National Board Certified teacher. I am currently serving as the Ohio Art Education Association, Central Region, Outstanding Art Teacher of the Year. My husband Ralph is a custom cabinet maker, (retired teacher). I have four grown sons who continue to keep my life fun, interesting and a bit crazy. I enjoy art museums, live theater, hiking, the beach, and traveling. I have been to Europe several times but never to Asia.

Bonnie Shiplet
Last summer I had the rare opportunity to participate in a Southwest Minority Cultures Tour of China. That experience has enriched my teaching to seventh grade Resource students at Arts Impact Middle School in Columbus, Ohio. I also sponsor an after-school club where students learn language and cultural aspects about China. I feel very fortunate to travel and study abroad with Ohio teachers on the Silk Road Tour. I am sure the trip will be awesome!

Kathy Swanger
Work hard, play hard, and enjoy life. My life is a commitment to faith, family, career and fun. Cycling, golfing, exercising, shopping, and traveling are the activities I enjoy when not working. When working I can be found at Marion Harding High School teaching modern world history, American history, or 20th century popular culture. “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WooHoo what a ride!’”

Misty Swanger
I am a high school Social Studies Teacher at Delaware Hayes High School. Prior to teaching in Delaware, I taught social studies in Table Grove, Illinois. I currently reside in Marion, Ohio. I graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Comprehensive Social Studies Secondary Education. I also have a Master’s degree from Ashland University in Educational Administration. I have been honored by Western Illinois University as a Most Inspiration Teaching and I have received the Jennings Scholar Award. I traveled to Santa Cruz, Bolivia and worked with teachers in the San Juan Methodist Schools. I also coach junior Olympic volleyball for the MOJO volleyball club.

Jennifer Swineheart
I teach World History and American Government at Millersport High School in Millersport, Ohio. I have a degree in history (7-12), government (7-12) and gifted education (K-12). I have a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I have always been fascinated by cultures different from my own. I love to travel and experience new places and meet new people. I am so excited to be part of this study tour to China.

Carla Steiger

I am an exhibiting artist with work in several museums. My teaching experience includes every level from kindergarten through college. Currently I teach middle school and high school art. I am passionate student of East Asian history and culture. Although my initial interest was in Asian history, art and religion, I have become increasingly fascinated with the story of China's phenomemal economic growth and social change. My favorite activities include, study, travel, discourse, art, writing and work for social justice initiatives. Joy is brought into my life by my caring intelligent husband , Mark, and my two endlessly creative grown daughters Katie and Rachel. I'm weathy in friends and my Tonkinese cat Anna lavishes me with affection.

Renee Townley
I teach Social Studies at Oak Hills High School in suburban Cincinnati. This school year will complete my 16th year in the classroom as an educator. Currently I am teaching Government and Sociology. Some of my “likes” in no particular order include: travel, NPR, dive and fine dining with family & friends, walking my Labrador retriever, arts events, teaching, hiking in Pisgah National Forest, learning, eclectic music, unexpected snow days, & cooking. Some dislikes include: chain restaurants, laugh tracks on TV, baseless pop music, & finding another stack of papers to grade.

Craig Wieczorek
I am a Toledo native. I attended Bedford Senior High School in Temperance, Michigan and graduated in 1971. I served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1976, where I was a Military Policeman and was honorably discharged as a sergeant with a top secret security clearance. I graduated from the University of Toledo in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. I am currently completing a Master’s in Education-Curriculum and Instruction, and will be licensed in secondary social studies. I am also working on an Education Specialist degree in Education Administration at the University of Toledo.

Gloria Wu
I am a social studies teacher from Bowsher High School in Toledo, Ohio where I instruct World Geography, World Studies and Civics. I recently worked on a committee in to plan for the visit of two educators from Bowsher's sister city--Toyohashi Senior Commerical High School in Japan. I also am informally involved with emotionally supporting two friends who are adopting a baby girl from China this spring. I am especially eager to visit China because I want to authentically reacquaint myself with my heritage. My parents immigrated from China with the intention of creating a family and providing their children with a better life.