Welcome to Educational Resources Inc.

Biography

Who is Steven Derfler, PhD?

An international educational consultant, public speaker, archaeologist, historian, researcher, teacher and writer, Dr. Derfler has been uncovering the histories of Ancient Civilizations for 35 years. Tracing the development of western religions from their roots in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries, Dr. Derfler brings insight to current political and social events, bridging the past with the future to promote greater understanding between people from different faiths and walks of life.

Throughout his career, Dr. Derfler has worked aggressively to bring the community together for education and celebration of ethnic and cultural diversity. He has worked with many agencies; including the Councils of Churches, Moral Re-Armament Twin Cities, Catholic Conference, Minnesota Islamic center, and Bridges for Peace. Dr. Derfler has been associated with institutions both in the Midwest and Israel. International Institutions include Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology, the Israeli Antiquities Authority, The Negev Museum of Beersheva and the Arad Archaeological Center.

In the Upper Midwest, he teaches at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He also lectures in the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Compleat Scholar Program, The Dawn Schuman Institute of Jewish Learning in Chicago and the Sarasota County Adult and Community Education Program. He has also taught at Hamline University, where he served as Director of Jewish Studies.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Derfler also served at the Area Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, the oldest human rights advocacy agency in the United States.

His commentaries can be found in such publications as the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, The American Jewish World, and The Ohio Chronicle. His research has been published by the Israel Exploration Journal, Tel Aviv Journal of Archaeology, Hadashot Archaologiot, 'Atiqot, the Middle East Review, The ARAM Journal of Oxford University, The University of Minnesota Press and the Edwin Mellen Press.

As part of his commitment to diversity and international awareness, Dr. Derfler directs academic study tours to Israel and Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Greece and Turkey. For interested parties, these journeys may also be tailored to Jewish constituencies. Please visit the Study and Travel Page for further details.

Who is Marion Helland?

Beginning as a civil rights activist who helped make history in the early 1960's, Marion Helland has truly made a difference in advancing human and civil rights for all people for nearly four decades. After spending summers working with the civil rights movement in Alabama, Mississippi, and Washington, D.C., she returned to her native Minnesota with a desire to contribute here as well. As a result, Marion Helland's career with the Robinsdale School District until her "retirement" in 1992 focused on human and civil rights, cultural diversity and ethnic sharing curricula that would help children learn tolerance and respect for one another; seeking peaceful resolutions to potential conflicts that might otherwise have led to violence.

Following her "retirement", Marion has continued to work in the community as lecturer, advisor, curriculum design consultant and diversity trainer in many different arenas. Her work with the "Hands Across the Campus" Program for Educational Resources, Inc. has been one of the cornerstones of the agency's cultural diversity/ethnic sharing component. Her work with the Hands national training institutes through the American Jewish Committee and advisory role in design of curriculum for not only Hands but SEED and World of Difference have made her an invaluable asset to the Upper Midwest. In addition, she serves on the State of Minnesota's Human Rights Commission.

Recently, Marion Helland was the recipient of the State of Minnesota Department of Human Rights' "Dreamkeepers Elder Award" in recognition of her lifelong dedication to human rights.

She can be reached through Educational Resources, Inc. as well.