National Endowment for the Humanities Program: Sage Ridge Educator Explores AAPI Histories

Sage Ridge School's history department chair, Ms. Stephanie Deveza-Porter, spent two weeks at a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) summer professional development program on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Selected as one of just 36 participants out of 300 applicants, her grant from NEH allowed her to study "Pacific Crossings: Asian American and Pacific Islander Histories, 1870s to the Present" for two weeks at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

The 36 educators selected from across the country explored the often-overlooked contributions of AAPI communities in shaping American history. Through intensive study, hands-on experiences, and inspiring conversations, Ms. Deveza-Porter immersed herself in a robust curriculum she is excited to share with her Sage Ridge students.

The program featured lectures from leading scholars and public historians, including the creator of the PBS documentary "Asian Americans." Participants also visited key cultural institutions such as the Chinese American Museum and the Japanese American National Museum—the largest museum dedicated to Japanese history in the United States. Ms. Deveza-Porter also met survivors of Japanese internment camps.

"It took the history out of the book and made it so human," Ms. Deveza-Porter said. "When you see the face of a child survivor, you realize that's what this history is—the massive impact on families, the lack of mental health services, and the way lives were forever changed. One survivor became a historian as a result. It changes the trajectory of how we teach and learn these stories."

The experience was academically rigorous, combining the depth of multiple college courses into two weeks of intensive work, with daily discussions and hours of reading each night. And it left a lasting impression. Ms. Deveza-Porter and her cohort of educators remain connected, sharing lesson plans and ideas to ensure AAPI history receives the attention it deserves.

Ms. Deveza-Porter teaches Grade 7 Ancient World History, AP U.S. History, and AP World History at Sage Ridge. Her curriculum spans from the Neolithic Revolution to modern history, but this summer's institute has inspired her to uncover and highlight overlooked stories.

"In most curriculums, Asian American history is simplified to just the transcontinental railroad, the Spanish-American War, and World War II. But the reality is so much more vast and impactful," Ms. Deveza-Porter explained. "If American history is a tapestry woven from different cultures and experiences, we need to ask: What's missing? Whose stories are left out? Each thread matters to the whole. What is not represented that leads to misgivings about American history?" 

Ms. Deveza-Porter emphasizes student-driven discussions in her classes, encouraging her students to teach, converse, and debate the material to gain ownership over their learning. The way she educates has proven to be a massive success for her students, for example, leading to her AP World History students consistently getting 5s on the AP exam—an accomplishment that the President of the Harvard Club of Northern Nevada and the Sierra says is rare because the AP World History exam "is just so comprehensive." 

"By having to verbalize their understanding, students engage with history in a seminar-like way. It gives them a sense of ownership over the material. It's a conversation—not just notes being read verbatim," Ms. Deveza-Porter said. "Speaking helps them process and connect with the material."

Ms. Deveza-Porter's passion for history stems from her upbringing, which spanned four countries and the U.S. territory of Guam. She credits childhood museum visits and her father for sparking her curiosity.

"He always said that humans are humans," Ms. Deveza-Porter said. "We have the same strengths, weaknesses, perseverance, and character across cultures. History is the study of humans as a society—how we behave at our best and our worst."

That belief in lifelong learning drives her continued professional growth.

"If our students are learning, we, as educators, must keep learning, too. We need to stay cognizant of how history is presented, packaged, and sometimes misrepresented," Ms. Deveza-Porter said. "And research! History is changing. Remaining abreast of the changes and our roles as responsible historians." 

Ms. Deveza-Porter encourages families to engage with history alongside their children: "Ask what they're learning. Have them teach you. There's no shame in saying, 'I haven't been exposed to this in a while.' It shows you care and may even spark an old interest."

Ms. Deveza-Porter's experience with NEH is already enriching her teaching at Sage Ridge. Her dedication to uncovering hidden narratives ensures that the history her Scorpions learn is as inclusive and complete as possible.