Greg Robinson - Teachers Make a Difference - Bert Hansen

The speaker recounts their experience with Professor Bert Hansen, who taught the history of medicine. Initially unfamiliar with the subject, the speaker was tasked with writing a paper using primary sources. They chose to research the 1916 polio epidemic in New York, focusing on ethnic newspapers. This research led to a deeper understanding of microfilm usage. Professor Hansen praised the research but critiqued the writing, offering guidance to improve it. The speaker's paper was nominated for the Shryock Prize, marking the first time they felt capable of writing something valuable.

What was the main focus of the narrator's paper for Bert Hansen's class?

• The development of microfilm technology

• The history of the New York Public Library

• The role of the New York Times in history

• The 1916 polio epidemic in New York

Which communities' newspapers did the narrator examine for their research?

• Chinese and Japanese

• French and Spanish

• Italian and German

• Russian and Polish

What was a significant challenge the narrator faced while writing their paper?

• Accessing the New York Public Library

• Lack of writing skills

• Understanding the history of medicine

• Finding primary sources

How did Bert Hansen assist the narrator in improving their paper?

• By helping them with sentence structure and paragraphing

• By providing additional research materials

• By rewriting the paper for them

• By teaching them how to use microfilm

What was the outcome of the narrator's paper after Bert Hansen's guidance?

• It won the Shryock Prize

• It was used as a teaching example

• It was published in a journal

• It was nominated for the Shryock Prize