Contact Us

Tim Hoogland

Tim Hoogland Tim (aka Mr. History) is the Supreme Ruler of History Day in Minnesota. Over his 18 years with History Day, participation in the program has grown from 125 students to approximately 30,000 students each year in Minnesota. Mr. History is a self-proclaimed “Ideas Guy.” When he isn’t pondering cool new designs for Minnesota History Day’s buttons and t-shirts, Mr. History enjoys golfing with his friend Mooster History, and playing Guitar Hero with his daughters.

You can call Mr. History at 651-259-3425 or tim.hoogland@mnhs.org.

ALISSA KAPPES

Ali (aka Ali Cat) is Minnesota History Day’s logistical guru. If you’ve got questions about workshops, curriculum materials, registration processes or regional events, Ali is your staffer. When she’s not bringing order to the chaos of History Day, this small town gal is helping seniors at Herberger's or asking the truly important historical questions like, "Why is coffee hot and not cold?"

Ali can be reached at 651-259-3426 or alissa.kappes@mnhs.org.

Jessica Ellison

Jessica Ellison Jessica (aka Fun Jessica) works with History Day schools in the eastern portion of Minnesota from the Iron Range down to the Iowa border (familiar territory for this Drake grad). Jessica is also Minnesota History Day’s performance guru, having crafted several of her own award-winning performances at Osseo High School and earning trips to Nationals in 1995 and 1996. Jessica enjoys eating her chef-husband’s cooking and curling up with Harry Potter books (she can’t wait for number seven).

You can reach Jessica at 651-259-3427 or jessica.ellison@mnhs.org.

James Hanneman

James Hanneman James (aka Hanneman or The Yellow Dart) serves History Day schools in western Minnesota. Hanneman hails from the hard-working, blue-collar town of White Bear Lake (Go Bears!) where as a 10th grader he created a History Day documentary that won a trip to Nationals. In addition to being a documentary pro, Hanneman also serves as History Day’s self-appointed Director of Alumni Affairs and Director of Political Affairs. When he’s not traveling up and down State Highway 71 you can find Hanneman watching Bears or Gophers hockey or running losing political campaigns.

The Dart can be reached at 651-259-3428 or james.hanneman@mnhs.org.

Natalie Jaworski

Natalie Jaworski Natalie (aka Natty) serves the St. Paul Public schools and also takes her History Day skills on the road to central Minnesota. She is a former History Day kid from the Robbinsdale school district who mastered both the exhibit and documentary categories. In addition to serving schools, Natalie is also the Director of Mass Mailings and the Deputy Director of Alumni Affairs. When she isn’t folding and stuffing, Natalie likes to take in local musical acts like tapes ‘n tapes and travel the globe.

Natalie can be reached at 651-259-3429 or natalie.jaworski@mnhs.org

Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor Chris (aka Mr. 7) claims the Minneapolis Public Schools and reservation schools as his turf for History Day. This Iowa native and Osseo High School graduate came to the Minnesota Historical Society from the New York History Day program. Chris also manages diversity outreach programs and conducts teacher education workshops for the Minnesota Historical Society. During the fall Mr. 7 can be seen on the gridiron whipping his son’s football team into shape.

You can reach him at 651-259-3430 or chris.taylor@mnhs.org.

Michelle Los

Michelle (aka Los) is the History Day teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota. If you want to set up a tour of the University of Minnesota’s Wilson Library, get some advice on how to locate primary source materials or run your thesis statement past an expert, Michelle can help you out. As a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Los is also Minnesota History Day’s resident research paper guru. Michelle can not only help you with history day, but she can also speak Turkish!

Michelle mans the History Day Hotline by phone at 612-625-6416 or at histday@hist.umn.edu.