Why do you think Professional Development is so important for teachers?
Good professional development helps keep teachers fresh and enthusiastic about their content areas, and good pedagogy around it.
Tell us about your background and what brought you to Primary Source.
I started teaching at Weston High School in 1997, and began with 9th grade world history. Since then, I started the modern world history and AP World History courses there, and also taught World Studies which was an interdisciplinary course with the English department. I’ve been reading for the AP World history exam since its inception in 2002, and have been a Table Leader and Sample Selector for the AP World reading since 2006. My involvement in AP World History also brought me to the World History Association which connects historians, professors and teachers together, and has given me a chance to teach and train teachers from all over the country. My passion for learning about and teaching about world history brought me to taking Primary Source workshops and seminars over the years, and then to opportunities to work more closely with teachers.
What inspires you to do this work?
I have always appreciated how Primary Source’s professional development provides scholarly work – food for the mind – and paired it with experienced teachers who show the best pedagogical practices in their field.
Where in the world would you most like to visit?
There are too many places to list! I’ve spent the most time traveling through East Asia, so anywhere else that I haven’t been is on my list, but the top of my bucket list is Istanbul.