Jim Bokern began teaching History at Oconto High School in 1981, and in 1986 he took the initiative to pursue a Master’s Degree in History at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. His thesis, History and the Primary Canoe Routes of the Six Bands of Chippewa from the Lac Du Flambeau District, expanded Bokern’s interests in Native American culture. Bokern moved to a large high school in Marshfield, Wisconsin in 1988, teaching AP US History, AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, team teaching with AP English Language and leading the AP program at Marshfield High School.
Bokern’s educational leadership includes past President of Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted, past Chairperson of the Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council, endorsed consultant for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, and textbook editor and contributor for numerous publishing companies. Bokern also has led two archeological surveys on the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes, co-developed the Digital Time Traveler Program at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, worked as project historian on two grants with the Lac Du Flambeau Historic Preservation Office, documented the historically significant 6 Pause Portage in Iron County, leads as president of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, and continues active historic research in the region.
