Fun and Engaging!! 18+ years certified (history, ELA, science)

Andrew W.

I’m a middle school teacher with 18 years of experience and a Master’s degree in Education. I graduated from Waynesburg University with degrees in History and Sociology, and then earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from California University of PA. I’m also a Level II certified teacher here in Pennsylvania.

For the first 12 years of my career, I taught history, geography, and current events at both the middle and high school levels. I’ve worked with students on research and writing projects that led to state-level placements in National History Day, as well as multiple winners in the VFW Patriot’s Pen essay contest. I’ve always enjoyed helping students take their ideas and turn them into something they’re proud of.

Over the last five years, I’ve been teaching English Language Arts and Computer Science at the middle school level. A lot of my focus now is helping students improve their writing, grammar, and overall communication skills. Whether it’s organizing thoughts, building stronger sentences, or just making writing clearer and more confident, that’s where I do my best work.

I’ve also helped develop online curriculum for a cyber academy and am very comfortable using Google Workspace and online tools, so sessions run smoothly and stay organized.

My teaching style is pretty simple — I like to keep things engaging and real. I bring energy, keep things structured, and try to make learning actually make sense. I use memory tricks (mnemonics), real-world examples, and even pop culture references to help things click. If something isn’t working, I’ll find a different way to explain it until it does.

I’m easy to talk to and work hard to create a comfortable environment where students can ask questions, build confidence, and improve without feeling overwhelmed. My goal is to help students not just do better in school, but actually feel more confident in their abilities.