IRON MOUNTAIN — America has been built and shaped by many different ethnic, racial, and cultural groups. Though that has often led to conflict, it has also led to the nation’s rich multicultural character of our nation.

The wellbeing of America depends in part on our ability to know, respect, and appreciate each other despite our different backgrounds. How can we nurture those abilities in our children?

The public is invited to a free forum, “To a Fuller Joy: Teaching Our Children about America’s Rich Multicultural Heritage” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

High school teacher Leigh Ann Erickson will share “a fuller truth, for a fuller community, and a fuller joy.” Parents, teachers, and community members are asked to join her and local teachers for a discussion of why and how to do this in schools and homes.

Erickson earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and Spanish from the University of Delaware and a master or arts degree in education from Pace University. She has taught in New York City, Chicago, rural Ohio and Iowa, and served as assistant principal in Iowa City, Iowa. Her recent experience also includes being instructor of Composition and Discourse at Reach University, a nonprofit dedicated to offering working adults an affordable path to a university education.

All of these experiences changed Erickson’s approach to teaching, and made her passionate about helping students to bridge racial and cultural divides. She continues her work with Geneva Campus Ministry, which is known for bringing distinguished speakers to the University of Iowa campus, such as South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and New York Times columnist David Brooks, while running her own business, Undone Consulting.

Through Undone Consulting, Erickson provides teacher training, curriculum planning partnerships, and educational resources to schools.

In 2018, she received the Women of Achievement Award from the Iowa Gazette newspaper, and in 2019 was a finalist for Iowa Teacher of the Year.

Erickson lives in Iowa City with her husband and four children.

Three local teachers will also speak at the program: Kristin Novara, second grade, Breitung Township Schools; Kaye Miziniak, sixth grade, Iron Mountain Public Schools; and Dawn Kranz, former kindergarten through 12th music, Norway-Vulcan Schools.

They will share briefly how they worked to foster multicultural understanding in their classrooms.

Questions and discussion will be done after the presentations. Refreshments will be provided, and educational resources will be available.

The program is sponsored by the local group Christians for Racial Understanding: Community for All (CRU:CA). This is not a faith-based event, and everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Anda Tavonatti at azile489@yahoo.com or 906-239-6778.