I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in American History, a minor in Political Science, and a certification in secondary education. Within two years I had obtained my MA in US History. For the following 18 years I taught in the public school system. Nothing can beat this direct and proven experience with students of different backgrounds and learning styles. During this time, I typically taught classes of 25 students. In these classes, since not all students learn the same, I...
I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in American History, a minor in Political Science, and a certification in secondary education. Within two years I had obtained my MA in US History. For the following 18 years I taught in the public school system. Nothing can beat this direct and proven experience with students of different backgrounds and learning styles. During this time, I typically taught classes of 25 students. In these classes, since not all students learn the same, I presented information in various formats/methods. Typically one of the strategies I engaged would hit the various learning styles of the students within my classes. If not, for students who still did not comprehend the material, I tutored students after school in small group settings or one on one, further breaking information down in yet more formats/methods until mastery was accomplished.
In addition to using various formats/methods to deliver materials, one of my strengths is teaching students how to think for themselves. While many Social Studies teachers focus on memorization (which bores, frustrates, and alienates students), I build on themes/concepts and real actions/players, making the content more interesting, understandable, and relevant. Through an incorporation of study skills, test taking and note taking strategies, as well as the acquisition of tools to formulate arguments, I helped students become independent thinkers who can figure out questions even without knowing the answers immediately and make connections the teacher never specifically mentioned.
While teaching various class throughout my 18 years teaching, I have predominantly taught World History II (9th grade) and Advanced Placement US Government (seniors). On the state assessments, my World History students typically perform strong, primarily earning "passed advanced" status. My student average on the national AP US Government exam over the last decade is over a 4 out of 5. I attribute this high average to spending 5 years grading the free
