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Hello! I’m Karen Michels, a history and humanities teacher with a skill for engaging students to take active roles in investigating historical controversies and current events. Over more than a decade I’ve taught IB-aligned history and global studies in NYC, Bern, and other diverse settings, guiding learners in 8th-11th grades to analyze sources, construct arguments, and collaborate on hands-on projects. I’m especially drawn to Middle Eastern history, diplomacy, and the ways culture, memory, and narrative shape public understanding. I thrive in international schools and museums, crafting inquiry-based curricula, organizing guest speakers and cross-cultural exchanges, and supporting online learning and field experiences. My work with peacebuilding NGOs and cultural institutions has strengthened my commitment to inclusive education and public history, and I enjoy mentoring new teachers and developing professional development resources. I speak several languages and love helping students explore global perspectives through history, art, and dialogue.…Hello! I’m Karen Michels, a history and humanities teacher with a skill for engaging students to take active roles in investigating historical controversies and current events. Over more than a decade I’ve taught IB-aligned history and global studies in NYC, Bern, and other diverse settings, guiding learners in 8th-11th grades to analyze sources, construct arguments, and collaborate on hands-on projects. I’m especially drawn to Middle Eastern history, diplomacy, and the ways culture, memory, and narrative shape public understanding. I thrive in international schools and museums, crafting inquiry-based curricula, organizing guest speakers and cross-cultural exchanges, and supporting online learning and field experiences. My work with peacebuilding NGOs and cultural institutions has strengthened my commitment to inclusive education and public history, and I enjoy mentoring new teachers and developing professional development resources. I speak several languages and love helping students explore global perspectives through history, art, and dialogue.

Karen Michels

Writer, Content Creator, Content Producer, +1

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Hello! I’m Karen Michels, a history and humanities teacher with a skill for engaging students to take active roles in investigating historical controversies and current events. Over more than a decade I’ve taught IB-aligned history and global studies in NYC, Bern, and other diverse settings, guiding learners in 8th-11th grades to analyze sources, construct arguments, and collaborate on hands-on projects. I’m especially drawn to Middle Eastern history, diplomacy, and the ways culture, memory, and narrative shape public understanding. I thrive in international schools and museums, crafting inquiry-based curricula, organizing guest speakers and cross-cultural exchanges, and supporting online learning and field experiences. My work with peacebuilding NGOs and cultural institutions has strengthened my commitment to inclusive education and public history, and I enjoy mentoring new teachers and developing professional development resources. I speak several languages and love helping students explore global perspectives through history, art, and dialogue.…Hello! I’m Karen Michels, a history and humanities teacher with a skill for engaging students to take active roles in investigating historical controversies and current events. Over more than a decade I’ve taught IB-aligned history and global studies in NYC, Bern, and other diverse settings, guiding learners in 8th-11th grades to analyze sources, construct arguments, and collaborate on hands-on projects. I’m especially drawn to Middle Eastern history, diplomacy, and the ways culture, memory, and narrative shape public understanding. I thrive in international schools and museums, crafting inquiry-based curricula, organizing guest speakers and cross-cultural exchanges, and supporting online learning and field experiences. My work with peacebuilding NGOs and cultural institutions has strengthened my commitment to inclusive education and public history, and I enjoy mentoring new teachers and developing professional development resources. I speak several languages and love helping students explore global perspectives through history, art, and dialogue.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Karen Michels, a history and humanities teacher with a skill for engaging students to take active roles in investigating historical controversies and current events. Over more than a decade I’ve taught IB-aligned history and global studies in NYC, Bern, and other diverse settings, guiding learners in 8th-11th grades to analyze sources, construct arguments, and collaborate on hands-on projects. I’m especially drawn to Middle Eastern history, diplomacy, and the ways culture, memory, and narrative shape public understanding.

I thrive in international schools and museums, crafting inquiry-based curricula, organizing guest speakers and cross-cultural exchanges, and supporting online learning and field experiences. My work with peacebuilding NGOs and cultural institutions has strengthened my commitment to inclusive education and public history, and I enjoy mentoring new teachers and developing professional development resources. I speak several languages and love helping students explore global perspectives through history, art, and dialogue.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

French

Fluent

Hebrew (modern)

Fluent

German

Intermediate

Italian

Intermediate

Arabic

Intermediate

Spanish; Castilian

Intermediate

Work Experience

English Teacher at BFF Kompetenz Bildung Bern

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

Taught B1 English in a two-year Matura preparation course for students engaged in professional internships. Developed two-year teaching plan, exams and course material. Used Teams and One Note to post assignments and communicate with colleagues and administration.

English Teacher at Ecole Cantonal Langue Francaise

January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020

Taught English through interactive projects and games in French-language primary school children after-school.

History and Humanities Teacher at International School of Berne

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015

Taught grade 8 and 10 humanities in accordance with IB learning standards; Taught grade 11 diploma history in preparation for the IB exam in 20th century world history; Supervised grade 9 and 10 online learning program.

Tenured History Teacher at The Beacon School

January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2010

Developed and taught 12th grade electives: Middle Eastern history and American foreign policy; Taught 9th and 10th grade global studies using thematic, experiential and project-based curriculum; Organized topical conferences and recruited special speakers on the Middle East and Cold War; Established and led Beacon’s student exchange program with a secondary school in Madrid, Spain; Designed interactive multicultural student trips in New York City neighborhoods; Mentored and supervised several student teachers.

History Teacher at The Dual Language Middle School

January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004

Taught American history to middle school students in Spanish/English dual language program.

Assistant, Offsite Programs in Education at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999

Organized multi-cultural art programs in schools and other venue.

Workshop Facilitator/Instructor at Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, New York University

January 1, 2011 - February 28, 2011

Led teacher workshops on Latin America and the Cold War at NYU for professional development.

Teacher Workshop Instructor at Programs in International Educational Resources, Yale University

July 1, 2011 - July 31, 2011

Taught teacher workshop, "Race and Government Policy in Cuba" on Latin America.

Intensive English Reading and Writing Instructor at Al-Quds University Bard Partnership MA Program

May 1, 2011 - May 31, 2011

Taught intensive English reading and writing composition course to Palestinian teachers in preparation for a jointly run Palestinian/American MA program in education.

Intern, Peacebuilding, Policy Analysis and Impact Program at Swisspeace

January 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016

Created online research repository for South Sudan; Conducted research on Afghan peace agreement, and state fragility and donor funding in Haiti; Edited mediation proposals and reports on local governance in Syria and Mozambique.

Coordinator, Peace Partners Program at Seeds of Peace

January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003

Fundraised for internationally acclaimed summer camp for youth from areas of global conflict; Served as VIP liaison for guest speakers at high-profile fundraising events and conferences; Organized leadership conference in the Balkans for Israeli, Palestinian, Jordan and Egyptian educators.

Director at Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation

January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2001

Coordinated large and small "track II" diplomatic meetings, conferences and receptions for Arab and Israeli dignitaries including heads of state, foreign ministers, diplomats and chief negotiators.

Curriculum Developer at Queens College, The City University of New York

January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Developed curriculum on the impact of New Deal housing policies on NYC demographics.

Fellow at Watson School of International Studies, Brown University

January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008

Engaged with leading Iranian scholars and master teachers on critical issues in Iranian-US relations.

Fellow at National Endowment for the Humanities

January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007

Awarded competitive grant to participate in three-week seminar on WWII, "France in the Dark Years”.

Participant at Global Education Forum

April 1, 2006 - April 30, 2006

Participated in a semester-long seminar on China culminating in a three-week field trip.

Teacher Workshops Leader at Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, New York University

January 1, 2011 - February 28, 2011

Led teacher workshops on Latin America and the Cold War at NYU and the New York Council for the Social Studies.

Teacher Workshop Taught at Programs in International Educational Resources, Yale University

July 1, 2011 - July 31, 2011

Taught the teacher workshop 'Race and Government Policy in Cuba' in a summer series on Latin America.

Intensive English Instructor at Al-Quds University Bard Partnership Masters of Teaching Program

May 1, 2011 - May 31, 2011

Taught intensive English reading and writing composition to Palestinian teachers applying for a jointly run Palestinian/American Masters of Teaching program.

Research and Program Support at Swisspeace Peacebuilding Policy Analysis and Impact Program

January 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016

Supported peacebuilding project implementation; researched justice and international engagement in South Sudan; edited reports; sourced archival documents; contributed to project development and proposals.

Coordinator at Seeds of Peace, Peace Partners Program

January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003

Fundraised for Seeds of Peace summer camp; served as VIP liaison for guest speakers; facilitated dialogue between Arab and Jewish American community leaders; organized leadership conference in the Balkans for educators from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.