SGAP Teacher Spotlight for April 2018 (Greg Baird, Murrieta, CA)

Greg Baird

Vital Stats

Name: Greg Baird
School Name: Murrieta Valley High School
City, State: Murrieta, CA
Subjects Taught: Modern World History, U.S. Government
Grades Taught: 10, 12
No. of Years Teaching: 29

As a teacher with 29 years of teaching experience, Greg Baird has spent 28 of those years teaching students at Murrieta Valley High School (MVHS) in Murrieta, California. MVHS is a four-year comprehensive public school that has been named a California Distinguished School awardee and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Baird began teaching at MVHS in 1990, the year the public school was founded – indeed, Baird says he was the first teacher hired there!

“I’m proud to be associated with the excellent teachers in my school, district, state and nation,” Baird says. “All teachers have a tremendous impact on their students for their entire lives.” Today, Baird teaches Modern World History and U.S. Government to sophomore and senior high school students in addition to serving as Chairman of the school’s History Social Science Department. “History and Social Science teachers deal with the essential issue of people forming communities,” Baird says. “This is why our classes are so important in understanding the past and helping to forge the future.”

Modern Problems

As a social studies educator at a public high school, Baird says Common Core standards are definitely changing the way History and Social Science classes are taught. “It’s not so much about the learning all the facts, but being able to analyze information and communicate clearly.”

Since his Modern World History class covers hundreds of years, Baird says he doesn’t expect students to remember all the facts. “However, I hope that students can relate to characters from the past and see them as human beings who had to make tough decisions just like us,” he adds.

Baird says his greatest challenge is battling bias, whether in the media or in the classroom. “Politics in our country is very polarized right now, and many students get caught up in the rhetoric,” Baird says. “They have a hard time seeing issues and individuals from another point of view.”

Positive, Not Punitive

Baird says his teaching philosophy is founded on a positive classroom management strategy, with the goal of responding to students in positive rather than punitive ways. “Students who are engaged in the lesson rarely cause behavior problems,” Baird says. “I strive to cultivate positive relationships with my students, and create interesting lesson plans that challenge students. This tends to keep the kids learning and out of trouble.

What does Baird hope students remember about him and his class? “Most students will not remember all of the checks and balances, but I hope to prepare all my students to be productive and informed citizens,” Baird says. “And I hope they remember me as a caring adult.”

Trivia Answers for March 2018

Offshore Drilling

1. The U.S. border is actually _________miles away from the coastline. This area around the country is called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). a) 100 miles b) 200 miles c) 500 miles 2. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States surpassed China in annual gross crude oil imports in 2017. a) True b) False 3. The U.S. produces less than ______% of the world’s total oil reserves, yet we consume ______% of the world’s yearly production. a) 1%, 23% b) 2%, 21% c) 3%, 25% 4. Which oil and gas company was associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on April 20, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico? a) Exxon b) Union Oil c) BP (British Petroleum) 5. The largest oil spill on earth occurred in January 1991 during the Gulf War, when Iraqi forces intentionally released 252 million gallons of oil into the Persian Gulf. a) True b) False

Welfare and Drug Testing

1. According to Think Progress, the 13 states that drug-tested TANF applicants or recipients in 2016 spent ____________ to find 369 drug users.

a) $1.3 million

b) $10 million

c) $1.1 billion

 

2. In a continuation of question 1 above, the positive drug test rate out of all applicants ranged from ______% in Arkansas to ______% percent in Utah.

a) .07% in Arkansas, 2.14% in Utah

b) 1.2% in Arkansas, 2.98% in Utah

c) 5.1% in Arkansas, 6.2% in Utah

 

3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the United States’ food stamps program.

a) True

b) False

 

4. Which state is not one of the 15 states that have passed legislation regarding drug testing for public assistance applicants or recipients?

a) Iowa

b) Utah

c) Michigan

     

5. In 2009, which state became the first state to enact a drug-testing law for welfare applicants?

a) Texas

b) Arizona

c) Georgia

Research Links & Critical-Thinking Questions – March 2018

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Offshore Drilling

Heritage Foundation: How Offshore Oil and Gas Production Benefits the Economy 

Oceana Report: Safety Measures Will Not Make Offshore Drilling Safe 

Press Release from Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke Announcement 

National Ocean Industries Association Offshore Energy Industry Publications 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Statistics and Facts 

U.S. Department of Energy Report “Today in Energy” 

Issue 2: Welfare & Drug Testing

H.R.2179 – Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act 

Think Progress: States Spend Millions to Drug Test the Poor, Few Positive Results 

National Conference of State Legislatures Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients 

Study: “Assessing the Effects of Substance Abuse Among Applicants for TANF Benefits” 

Snopes on Drug Testing Welfare Recipients 

Chicago Tribune: “Wisconsin’s Walker Proposes Welfare Overhaul Plan”

President Trump’s 2019 Budget Proposal 

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Issue 1:  Offshore Drilling

  1. Traditionally, Republican lawmakers have favored offshore drilling in U.S. waters. Why do you think some of them are now voicing opposition to it?
  2. What is your opinion on offshore drilling? Do you think it should be allowed in the U.S.? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think offshore drilling in U.S. waters harm the environment? Explain why or why not.
  4. Compare and contrast the pro/con congressional quotes on p. 3 of the newsletter. Whose opinion do you agree with the most, and why?
  5. Would you want offshore drilling to take place in your own community? Why or why not?

Issue 2: Welfare & Drug Testing

  1. Please read the Think Progress report (see link above). Do you think drug testing welfare recipients is worth the cost? Why or why not?
  2. Does your state require drug testing for recipients of welfare programs like SNAP, TANF, etc.?
  3. Research the answer if you don’t know. Do you agree with your state’s policy?
  4. Do you believe the poor are more likely than other groups (such as seniors) who receive government money to use drugs? Why or why not?
  5. Read President Trump’s proposed changes to the SNAP program in his 2019 Budget Proposal (link above). Do you think these changes are a good idea? Why or why not?