My name is Kerry and I have been teaching history for 26 years. I majored in both Political Science and History in college and received my Master’s in Teaching two years later. I was in the honors program in both undergraduate and graduate schools. I have taught every level in history from College Prep to Advanced Placement, and I have taught U.S., World History, World Religions, and Human Geography at those levels. I thoroughly enjoy teaching teenagers and helping them overcome their struggles in history and open up to the connections that history provides. To me, the most important thing is to bring history to life for my students, and in order to do that, I must help the students feel their connection to the story. Understanding history is vital to help humanity learn from both mistakes and successes in order to make the future better. I also have a 93% passing rate for my AP students and 88% earned 4’s and 5’s. I absolutely love U.S. history and the early history is just as exciting and important as the twentieth century. To go back to the time of Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton while they were writing the Constitution and founding the nation is amazing! As is the trials and tribulations of the Native American tribes as they fought for their way of life. Of course, the Gilded Age has its excitements with the industrialization of the nation and the creation of Big Business and the Twenties were a great time for all. In general, I love everything about U.S. history.

Besides creating a class that is fun and enjoyable for my students, I also concentrate on historical thinking skills that are necessary for college and the future. Excellent critical thinking and writing skills will carry over into other areas of education and future jobs. Analytical thinking using documents is another skill that is needed in history and will also help in other subjects. I love teaching students to analyze primary sources and feel the thrill of success when they are able to use them in an essay or an argument. Writing is an integral part of history and life after high school. My approach to writing and analysis is practice, practice, practice. I have a systematic approach to analysis and it enables students to master the skill and move quickly to use that analysis in their writing. I look forward to working with each of you and introducing you to the fun side of history.