The 2015-2016 school year is my 17th year teaching in the West Orange school district. I taught for 5 years at Roosevelt Middle School and am now in my 12th year at WOHS. I currently teach sections of 9th grade Honors Modern World History, 11th grade AP US History and 12th grade AP Government and Politics. I have been the 9th grade Social Studies teacher in the Institute of the Humanities for the last 4 years. This institute is an honors-based small learning community that 8th graders can apply to during their 8th grade year. The program provides students with an interdisciplinary approach that links the study of history and literature with an emphasis in the development of analytical reading and writing skills. With my fellow colleagues in the program, we have helped develop this program into a thriving institute of learning. My passion for studying history goes back to my childhood, especially from my years living overseas in Germany as an Army Brat. My goals in approaching each school year are to impart upon the students an understanding and appreciation of the past and the development of skills that will make them successful as they move forward in their time as students at WOHS and beyond.