The Social Studies Educator

Matt McCullough HIST 2900 April 1, 2011

A little about me

Undergrad/Grad WMU Taught in Juvenile Home. H.S. and Club Soccer Coach Mentor Teacher MCSS Presenter/Leadership team/Curriculum Writer. MEA Excellence in Ed 2011

Why I wanted to teach

Figured out possibly being rich didnt make me happy. Loved a good story Enjoyed helping the light bulb to go on

Being a secondary S.S. educator is

Seinfeld History Lesson

What you need as a future educator

1. Understand/Use Data 2. Learn/Practice Classroom Management 3. Utilize Technology 4. Interact/Support Professional Organizations

What type of data?

NCLB/Race to the Top 5 Ws and H of your students Justify your job, lessons, methods. Benchmarks and Standards

Largest issue facing teaching profession?

Teacher dropout rate is higher than students!

Nearly half of all teachers quit during their first five years according to the National Center for Education Statistics

Why?

Classroom Management

Be yourself. Observe. Then practice, practice, practice. Resources: Why dont students like school -Willingham, cognitive scientist

Teach like a Champion Lemov

1. Simplicity is underrated. A simple idea wellimplemented is an incredibly powerful thing. 2. You know your classroom best. -works for your students. 3. Excellent teaching is hard work. Excellent teachers continually strive to master their craft. 4. Every teacher must be a reading teacher. Reading/literacy is the skill our students need. 5. Teaching is the most important job in the world. And its also the most difficult.

Why Technology???

Is the present, future, and social. Students more likely to interact with website/ blog/ message board. Be on the cutting edge. Visual Literacy

mcculloughmg.wordpress.com

Professional Organizations
NCHE MCSS NCSS JOIN OR DIE

MCSS mission is to recognize and promote effective social studies to our members and stakeholders. OBJECTIVES All Michigan citizens will actively participate in the democratic process of decision making, including elections
(How can the government argue with that )

Take away
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand. Chinese Proverb Become a Social Studies teacher to help people get involved!!!

THANK YOU

Questions?