JBS History: Faculty

Jon Bang received his B.A. in History in 1996 from St. Olaf College. From 1997-2002, Jon was on the faculty of Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault, MN, where he taught in the foreign language and history departments. During the 2000-2001 academic year, he took a leave of absence and spent two semesters in Vienna, Austria on a Fulbright Scholarship. Upon his return, he taught history and German once again at Shattuck-St. Mary's, and received his B.A. in German from St. Olaf College. At John Burroughs since Fall 2002, Jon currently teaches 8th grade Social Studies, World Civilizations II, and US History. In addition, Jon coordinates the John Burroughs School SLAMUN and THIMUN programs.

Christopher Front received his B.A. in History (1991) and M.A. in American History (1993) from Columbia University. In Chicago, he worked in exhibit development and collection management at the Chicago Historical Society. He did additional graduate work at Northwestern University, where he specialized in colonial American history. While at Northwestern, he taught a number of freshman seminars on early America. Before coming to teach at John Burroughs, he taught AP US History at the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California. He currently teaches United States History 11, 8th grade Social Studies, and a senior seminar, US History Since 1945. He also a student advisor and co-sponsors the Montgomery Plan.

Daniel Harris is the Director of Diversity & Multicultural Education and Head Varsity Track & Field Coach at John Burroughs. He co-teaches a senior African-American Studies course with Dr. Mark Smith, and also serves as an advisor. In addition to his JBS responsibilities, Daniel is a Site Director for Aim High St. Louis, a tuition-free academic enrichment program for fifth- through eighth-grade students from low-income neighborhoods who have demonstrated potential. Daniel earned his dual degree in African & African-American Studies and Political Science at Washington University where he spent a year in law school before entering education. Much of Daniel's time is spent organizing and offering diversity/multicultural programs and training for JBS and other local/national constituents including the Healing Our Nation Network®. He is a member of the ISACS Board Equity Committee, the NAIS diversity think tank. Daniel's wife Julie Harris also teaches at JBS in the mathematics department.

Christopher Hinshaw has a B.A. in Political Science and a M. Ed. and has served as a teacher and administrator in independent schools since 1985, including serving as head of two schools. He joined the Burroughs faculty in 1993. He currently teaches 8th grade Social Studies, US History, and senior course on Contemporary Global Issues and serves as chair of the History department.

Holly Lorencz received her B.A. in History from the University of Regina, her B.A. in Classics from the University of Calgary, and her M.A. in Classics from Queen's University. She currently teaches in both the History and the Classics Departments. Until she came to Burroughs in 2001, she spent a great deal of her time inhabiting the various provinces of Canada. Currently, she teaches World Civilizations I and II and various levels of Latin and Ancient Greek.

Christine Marshall graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Social Studies and an M.A. in history. In addition, she completed a M.A. in Liberal Arts and M.A. in International Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to joining the Burroughs history department, she taught in the Pattonville School District. She is active in the National Council of Social Studies, Missouri Council for History Education, and International Education Consortium. She currently teaches Geography and Global Issues to seventh graders and World Civilizations I to ninth graders. She is the sponsor of 7-8 grade Model UN.

Pam Miles teaches World Civilizations I, History of the World's Relgions, and Debate.

Mark Nicholas teachers World Civilizations II, Literature and History, and Social Studies 8.

Todd Small has a BA from Principia College (History Major) and an MA in American History (emphasis on the antebellum South) from the College of William and Mary. After several years of teaching, coaching football, and sometimes administrating on both the high school and college level, he came to JBS in the fall of 1986 as a member of the History and Athletic Departments. Since that time he has taught History and Social Studies, as well as served as Director of Guidance, Principal of grades 9 and 10 as well as 11 and 12, a college counselor, and athletic director. Currently, he teaches 7th grade Social Studies and is the Head Football Coach.

Mark Smith came to Burroughs in 1998 from the University of Virginia where he taught in the history department and earned his PhD. While in Charlottesville, he worked for Monticello as an intern coordinator. He received his BA from The College of William and Mary in 1991. Mark and his wife, Jennifer, have two children. At Burroughs, Mark teaches United States History, African-American Studies, BioEthics, and 8th grade Social Studies. He also advises The World, the student newspaper.

James Wagner received his BA in history and political science from Lawrence University in 1987 and began teaching in the history department of John Burroughs School in the fall of 1988. In 2003 he received his MA in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development from Saint Louis University. He coached the Burroughs Varsity and Junior Varsity water polo teams from 1988 until 2005. He has taught all grade levels in the history department, including the senior seminar Causes of War. He currently teaches 7th grade Social Studies, World Civilizations I, and a 12th grade senior seminar, Urban Issues and Design. He serves as an advisor to incoming 7th graders, sponsors the Kiva Club, and is the class co-sponsor for the 8th grade.

LAST UPDATED: 10-Jul-2008