World Exam

My sophomore world history sections took  their third exam of the semester today; we have one more left. I could smell their brains burning at the table.
Here is a sample short response question:
In the periodization of 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E., construct a map of the Afroeurasian world that showcases the major centers for trade [...]

College Letters

I have been very busy of late finishing college letters of recommendation; I actually enjoy writing them; it gives me time to reflect on why I like teaching students. A former colleague, Joy App, sent this to me after a recent conversation we had about this topic. By policy, I do not write negative letters; [...]

Marking Papers

I took this picture off of Dr. Mark Elrod’s webpage a year ago when I first ran the pictures below on how one should mark papers. Above is a picture of Elrod and his former colleague illustrating how they go about marking students’ work via the shotgun approach. I had a number of courses with [...]

Giving A Test

My AP United States History classes are writing their first exam today; it should be a great adventure for many of them. Honestly, I think they will do very well.  About 20 of us met at the home of Parker Malone for a review session last night; it went very well. Parker’s mom took the [...]

Teaching History

I like the process of understanding the studyof history. The nature of the field is complex in that perspectives are what shapes history. Sure, the so called “history buff” will always call on historical facts, which are important, but it is how various states see those facts that ultimately determines the writing of history. My now [...]

AP European History Reading 2009: Too Much Hitler

It has been an excellent week at Colorado State University in Fort Collins – – site of the 2009 European history read. We spent our days reading essays while attending seminars, lectures, and forums at night;  I found myself dinning most nights with bright scholars, ambitious teachers, learners, and colleagues. Honestly, to call them just a colleague [...]

I Used To Be Hard

In the world of independent schools, most places have an evaluation process in place in which students mark evaluation forms of their instructors. For the most part, I have enjoyed the feedback from students on my teaching and the general nature of my courses. Before students evaluate me, I always ask them to write a [...]

HCHS Commencement 2009

Above: Metoyer (chair), Sivils, Malouf, Bourland, Phenicie, and Carson
The history department took a second to take this departmental picture just before HCHS 2009 commencement.
Kate Kreager, my top student in AP European history and this year’s valedictorian, delivered an excellent speech to her peers. Kate, who will attend the University of Texas Phase II honors program [...]

Another Great Student

Above: Veronica Forge and Carson
My soon to be former student Veronica Forge and I took a quick picture today for her scrapbook. The English department here and at my former school requires each student to construct a 15 page scrapbook. I am blessed to have had Veronica for three [years] courses: World History (sophomore year), [...]

Student to Attend Harding’s Honors Symposium

Left to Right: Jaime Zeal, Ashley Giffen, & Rachel Gracy
Jaime Zeal was a bright spot in my United States history course this past year; she will be attending my Alma Mater this summer and will most likely apply for admission come next fall. This summer Jaime will participate in Harding university’s Summer Honor Program. It [...]

Just Another Day on Campus

This particular section of AP European History spent time on the inner lawn of HCHS; I am a sucker to say the least. They needed additional motivation on what is an absolutely gorgeous day. We discussed World War II and the motivations that drove the likes of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin to seek greater power; [...]

Teachers of Color

Above: Danielle Milton, Jillian Thompson, and Ariel  Johnson during homecoming week in November.
The love and want and need to see different types of people is not a liberal or conservative thing; it is a matter of beauty and hope that brings all of us together; I smile knowing that I love all types of [...]

Princeton Visit ‘09

Left: Friend and former student Alejandro Penafiel
I have spent the past four days here in Princeton working with a group of great friends and excellent colleagues; I like to think that I am pretty smart, but when I am around this group I realize I have much to read. I find this most exciting. I [...]

Rethinking Teaching as Industry

Above: Democratic Model

My Advanced Placement United States History sections recently discussed the transformation of American identity as it related to the concepts of capitalism and democracy; I used my interest in progressive education to showcase how education was used to bring about a transformation in independent school teaching and  the political progressive reforms [...]

Publish or Pay: It Has a Price

Have you been to a book store of late? Man there is a lot of junk being written by academics and journalists. In higher education, faculty member are asked to publish a great deal for tenure and promotion; however, what about the junk that is being written for the sake of publishing? According to the [...]

A Cuban in the Mix

I love receiving gifts from students; I got a great post card from a student visiting London over the break, and I have another gift coming from a student who was also in London. Two years ago I got a great tie from a group of students visiting Austria; I wore it earlier this year [...]

The Best Part of Teaching: Getting to Know Great Students

Above: Shelby, Zee, Carson, and Hannah
When it comes to teaching, I do have a pretty nice thing; I get to teach bright interesting students who are diverse in their thinking and activities; I get to pontificate my passion for history and ideas, while engaging in conversations about their view of my historical interpretation. I spent [...]

Teaching Great Students Part VI

I hope to introduce a few of my students this week; I have had a number of them write articles for this blog before. I interviewed a current student who is doing great research on the Ottomans. I will bring that interview to you later this week. For now, admire these cool guys above. They [...]

My CAC Trip to Europe

Above: Carson by his Madrid communist flag from CAC’s European trip

Above are a few of my past favorites: Alexis Stamp, Dana Huggins, Laura Richards, and Katie Short. In front of the students is Ken Roberts, head of CAC’s upper school.
During the spring term of 2003, a number of my students and colleagues took a trip [...]

Reconstruction: Who Are the Terrorists?

I am not sure how to take this bumper sticker; on one hand, I know the student that drives this car. I will defend his character and his genuine sense of being a really good guy; on the other hand, I still find myself troubled by this bumper sticker. I suspect I am interpreting it [...]