About us.

Kent teaching.png — KENT BLAKENEY

I knew I wanted to teach U.S. history when taking a class called America Since 1945 in my high school outside of Chicago. After earning degrees in History and Secondary Social Studies Education from Miami University, I began teaching in North Carolina. Another dream of mine came to fruition when I joined the Peace Corps in 2003. I served in El Sauce, Nicaragua. That’s when I learned about International Teaching. After my service, I started teaching at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, the capital.

Since then, I’ve lived in nine countries, taught at the American school in each one, married the love of my life, had two children, one dog, earned a Master’s and Ph.D., written a book on teaching overseas, completed an Ironman Triathlon, and visited over 50 countries around the world. Most recently my son and I spend a year traveling to all 48 continental states and learning a history along the way. We currently live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I really wanted to get back to teaching U.S. History while overseas. I decided to start working on a way to use my experience as an educator to provide U.S. History courses to Americans living outside the United States. This turned into U.S. History for Expats.

Understanding history unlocks our future. When I realized this in 10th grade, it became clear that teaching history would allow me to leave a meaningful mark on our world. Since then, educating students on the history of our democracy and their ability to shape it has been my calling.

Another dream of mine was to teach abroad. I was set to do just that, in Japan, when I got an offer I couldn’t refuse from an excellent public school outside Washington, DC. But in a fortunate twist of fate, Dr. Kent Blakeney got hired at the same school, and our collaboration led to us building US History for Expats together, enabling me to fulfill that dream by teaching students the world over in the virtual classroom.

Over thirteen school years, I’ve honed my craft teaching American history at an award winning middle school in one of the best districts in the country. I also can’t imagine teaching another age group. The curiosity of students at that age is something unique and invigorating. I bring this experience and passion to my work with US History for Expats.

DAN SMITH