111: Ordinary Heroes Everywhere by Phyllis Hostmeyer, a teacher, trainer, writer and storyteller whose life work is supporting teachers in Illinois to help their students reach for their own stars. Phyllis shares a heart wrenching story about the impact of a local coal mine’s explosion 22 years ago on her community, Centralia, IL. She goes beyond the facts by conveying the personal connection she made to these events to her own life today. This story was created at National Gallery of Art’s Digital Storytelling Teacher Summer Institute (2004). What does her message say to you – what do you know about what she now knows and understands about the topic?