Learning through admiration

Suzie Harrison

What better way to prepare students for the future than teaching

them about the heroes of the past?

That’s the concept behind the Laguna Beach based Web company,

myhero.com. The non-profit educational site was created by Laguna

resident Jeanne Meyers and is in its seventh year.

“My Hero uses Internet technology to bring together people of

different ages and cultures in a public forum that celebrates the

best of humanity,” Meyers said.

She said it helps young people identify the characteristics of

heroes from all walks of life.

“It has become a huge tool worldwide with people telling their

stories about their heroes and also educating youth,” Meyers said.

Also research, reading and writing the stories online facilitates

learning academic skills.

Myhero.com has a CD ROM that has been made available to teachers

around the world. It’s a teacher training video that one can access

on any computer.

Every year since 1996, the group has received the ABC Parenting

Award, the Global Bangemann Challenge and the Global Junior

Challenge. Last year it was awarded first prize in the Not-for-Profit

category of the Childnet International Competition.

To give a tour of its Web site, the home page features a diverse

selection of heroes.

Meyers explained that the stories featured are closely correlated

with school calendars and subjects that teachers and students are

interested in, such as Earth Day or Women’s History Month.

“The stories come from all over the world. We were invited to

Stockholm by the king for the Stockholm challenge and to Rome for the

Global Junior Challenge,” Meyers said.

We also presented it in Moscow. The department of education in

Moscow is interested in 200 copies,” Meyers said.

The Web site has a directory of hero categories, which facilitates

research skills for children. Other skills promoted include essay

writing and creating Web graphics.

Myhero.com is developing a teacher’s room, which will be a place

where educators can share their lesson plans and integrate

information from the site.

Myhero.com has a site at the Festival of Arts set up near the

children’s art exhibit. The Festival runs through Sept. 1 and is at

650 Laguna Canyon Road.

For more information go online to www.myhero.com.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321.