Category: Personal Blog
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A Year in Books: 2024-2025 Reading List
This year marked a transformative period in my reading life, with audiobooks becoming my primary mode of historical engagement while physical and digital formats served different purposes. Below is a complete accounting of my reading organized by format, along with recommendations for educators and history enthusiasts who might benefit from these works. Part One: Historic…
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The Skills Gap: When AI Becomes a Crutch Instead of a Tool
I’ve been teaching social studies long enough to remember when the biggest challenge was getting students to put away their phones during class discussions. Now? The phone isn’t just a distraction; it’s their first stop for every answer, every question, every moment of cognitive discomfort. Here’s the thing that keeps me up at night: I’m…
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The Heart of Leadership: Valuing Others Above Self
Today’s conversation with my freshmen about altruistic and culturally competent leadership reminded me why I love teaching government and civics. When we stripped away all the complexity, the students kept circling back to something fundamental: real leaders care about other people more than themselves. This isn’t the leadership we see valorized in movies or celebrated…
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Keep Discovery at Udvar-Hazy: A Case for Preserving Context Over Politics
The article argues for keeping Space Shuttle Discovery at Udvar-Hazy, emphasizing its historical context, accessibility, and educational value, while proposing Houston focus on modern spaceflight narratives.
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December 2025: Celebrating Traditions, Reflection, and Global Understanding
December 2025 encourages celebrating diverse traditions, reflecting on personal growth, and fostering cultural understanding through various educational activities, ensuring inclusive and joyful learning experiences in classrooms.
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