A little about me
I want students to
think like historians.
How can a fossil change what we know about early humans? Why did people begin farming? I want students to get caught up in questions like these and have a chance to work out their own answers.
My teaching experience
More than twenty years
in the classroom.
For more than twenty years, I’ve taught social studies and English language arts to students in grades 6–12. I’ve worked with striving readers, English language learners, advanced students, and students with special needs. I want each of those students to have a way into the lesson. My English language arts experience helps me pay attention to the reading and writing that history asks of students, while keeping the historical questions challenging.
I’ve also spent much of my career mentoring new teachers. That experience goes into the guidance I write for you: how to introduce an activity, where students might get stuck, and how to help them move forward. I want you to open a resource and feel ready to teach it.
How I approach a lesson
“How do you know?”
I want students to have something to say about history and the evidence to back it up. A fossil discovery or a decision about where to settle can give a class plenty to discuss. I build in chances for students to defend an answer, hear another interpretation, and change their minds.
In my Early Humans lessons, students compare fossil discoveries before using archaeological evidence in a debate. In geography, they move between stations and sort examples of the five themes. I choose these activities to give students a reason to talk to one another and think carefully about their answers.
What I share here
What you’ll find in my store
Whether you’re introducing timelines or planning a unit on early humans, I hope you’ll find something you’re excited to teach. My store includes individual activities and lesson bundles, with previews so you can see what will work for your students.
Browse my resourcesMy TPT store
Find something you’ll enjoy teaching.
Take a look through my TPT store. Each preview will help you decide what fits your class.