Introduction
Welcome to Advanced Placement United States History. First, a little about me. I grew up in an Alabama college town to two college educators. If you had asked me when I was in high school if I would be a high school history teacher, the answer would have been a resounding...NO! I began performing at the age of 12 and was determined that I wanted to be in theatre for the rest of my life. My father (who also loved theatre, but insisted on a college education) made me a deal. If I would do a traditional undergraduate degree, instead of going to acting conservatory, he would set me up in New York after I successfully graduated college. SO, I took him up on his offer and finished college in three years. The paths that we take in life are not always currently clear to us. However, I took American History with Dr. Pat Wingo. I was hooked on her teaching style. She had this way of combining the facts of history with these incredible stories. I couldn't get enough of her and wound up taking every class that she offered. By the time I finished, I had a double major in History and Drama. I first went to Florida because it looked like the Disney MGM Studios was going to bring Hollywood to the south. When that didn't pan out I moved to New York City where I attended The American Musical and Dramatic Arts Academy. I spent the next six years in NYC going to through the path that so many working actors go through. I will love New York City until I die and would give anything to move back, but as for that time in my life....it was time for a new path. I came home and got a masters degree in education and began teaching history. Through the mentorship of my first department chair I started teaching AP U.S. History in my second year and haven't stopped since. I came to Grady 11 years ago and have served as the department chair of social studies for the last 7 years (at least I think it has been that long...time has a way of slipping away from you the older you get). SO...that's my story in brief. There will be MANY MORE stories to come throughout the year. I have spent my life carrying on the legacy of Dr. Wingo and try my best to teach this course in the same way that she did. The only difference is that I have to make sure everyone is ready for the AP exam in May.
My hope is that over the course of the year you will come to love this material as much as I do. AP U.S. History (or APUSH) is designed to give students a deeper appreciation for the tapestry that is the American nation! When we look at the grand scope of time, and the nations of the world that have been here for CENTURIES, our nation has been here for only a moment....but what a moment it has been! I see it like this, American History is a giant quilt made up of many patches that represent many cultures. Over the course of the year we will take this fabric apart string by string to discover what makes America the nation that it has become. From our establishment in the wilderness of the Chesapeake and Massachusetts Bay, to the planting of a flag on the moon. From our triumphs out of adversity, to the tragedies that bring the nation together. We are the American people, for better or worse, From vast sources of global blood we have forged a nation of immigrants!! I love this class and the stories that it gives me the chance to pass on to the student. It is now time for your quest to begin! To decide for yourself, what makes America great?!!
TUTORIALS: Tuesday Mornings 7:45-8:25
Wednesday Afternoons 3:45-4:30
ANYTIME by appointment
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
GOOGLE CLASROOM: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/h
HENRY GRADY HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/14412
COURSE SYLLABUS FOR 2018-19: apush_syllabus_2018-19.docx
Welcome to Advanced Placement United States History. First, a little about me. I grew up in an Alabama college town to two college educators. If you had asked me when I was in high school if I would be a high school history teacher, the answer would have been a resounding...NO! I began performing at the age of 12 and was determined that I wanted to be in theatre for the rest of my life. My father (who also loved theatre, but insisted on a college education) made me a deal. If I would do a traditional undergraduate degree, instead of going to acting conservatory, he would set me up in New York after I successfully graduated college. SO, I took him up on his offer and finished college in three years. The paths that we take in life are not always currently clear to us. However, I took American History with Dr. Pat Wingo. I was hooked on her teaching style. She had this way of combining the facts of history with these incredible stories. I couldn't get enough of her and wound up taking every class that she offered. By the time I finished, I had a double major in History and Drama. I first went to Florida because it looked like the Disney MGM Studios was going to bring Hollywood to the south. When that didn't pan out I moved to New York City where I attended The American Musical and Dramatic Arts Academy. I spent the next six years in NYC going to through the path that so many working actors go through. I will love New York City until I die and would give anything to move back, but as for that time in my life....it was time for a new path. I came home and got a masters degree in education and began teaching history. Through the mentorship of my first department chair I started teaching AP U.S. History in my second year and haven't stopped since. I came to Grady 11 years ago and have served as the department chair of social studies for the last 7 years (at least I think it has been that long...time has a way of slipping away from you the older you get). SO...that's my story in brief. There will be MANY MORE stories to come throughout the year. I have spent my life carrying on the legacy of Dr. Wingo and try my best to teach this course in the same way that she did. The only difference is that I have to make sure everyone is ready for the AP exam in May.
My hope is that over the course of the year you will come to love this material as much as I do. AP U.S. History (or APUSH) is designed to give students a deeper appreciation for the tapestry that is the American nation! When we look at the grand scope of time, and the nations of the world that have been here for CENTURIES, our nation has been here for only a moment....but what a moment it has been! I see it like this, American History is a giant quilt made up of many patches that represent many cultures. Over the course of the year we will take this fabric apart string by string to discover what makes America the nation that it has become. From our establishment in the wilderness of the Chesapeake and Massachusetts Bay, to the planting of a flag on the moon. From our triumphs out of adversity, to the tragedies that bring the nation together. We are the American people, for better or worse, From vast sources of global blood we have forged a nation of immigrants!! I love this class and the stories that it gives me the chance to pass on to the student. It is now time for your quest to begin! To decide for yourself, what makes America great?!!
TUTORIALS: Tuesday Mornings 7:45-8:25
Wednesday Afternoons 3:45-4:30
ANYTIME by appointment
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
GOOGLE CLASROOM: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/h
HENRY GRADY HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/14412
COURSE SYLLABUS FOR 2018-19: apush_syllabus_2018-19.docx