The middle school years are critical milestones in the academic and social development of RHLS students.   I believe that the sixth through eighth grade years are central to preparing students on how to succeed in high school and beyond.  On an academic level, I endeavor to provide students a firm foundation in world and United States history, and an understanding of the current global community.  From learning efficient study skills to honing the ability to organize themselves and manage their time, students are taught the skills which will allow them to be successful in any environment.   In addition to this academic focus, it is my goal to guide students along the path to becoming moral and ethical Christian young adults.  By including Christ-centered beliefs in my teaching, I have the unique opportunity only available to a teacher in a Christian school to communicate the lessons of the Bible and the message of Jesus Christ.

Social studies education is vital at the middle school grade levels for students to learn and practice the skills needed to become critical thinkers.  In each of my classes, I emphasize critical thinking and real-world applications of the concepts and issues we study.  I am a firm believer in active learning, and I try to maintain a very lively and interactive classroom.  I believe that students learn when they are exposed to different ways of understanding the material. Reading, elaboration through lectures and diverse visual media, and discussions of the material, give every type of learner several ways to comprehend the material and experience success.   I also believe that it is crucial to promote other kinds of learning than that related to the course material. Students should learn critical thinking through questions posed and discussed in class. The structure of projects should lead to improvement of social skills. Projects that require classroom presentations can improve speaking skills and professionalism. Those done by groups of students can teach them how to get the best work from each member and how to effectively work with others.  By the end of the three years of middle school, it is my goal that my teaching strategies will have helped foster the strengths of the whole student and not simply one aspect of a student’s learning experience.

Teacher Websites © 2009 SchoolWorld