Vital Stats

Name: Amber Hale
Title: Social Studies Teacher
School Name: F.J. Reitz High School
City, State: Evansville, IN
Subject(s) Taught: Government and Economics
Grade(s)Taught: 12
No. of Years Teaching: 20

Although Amber Hale’s teaching career spans 20 years, this social studies teacher is in tune with today’s trends. She understands that technology is changing the way the education system works and embraces these changes. “Technology has greatly changed teaching for the better, and I believe it will continue to do so,” Hale says.

Hale uses the SGAP program to teach Government and Economics to her 12th grade students at F.J. Reitz High School, a public school in Evansville, Indiana. The school is a member of the third largest school district in the state—a district that places special emphasis on technology.

1:1 Technology Initiative

To ensure all students have the same access to technology and the tools they will in the 21st century, the district implemented a one-to-one initiative, providing all high school students their own take-home computer.

“Due to the one-to-one initiative, students can now research and find information that is current and relevant on a daily basis,” Hale says. “We can explore so much more material because it is at our fingertips. We use our Chromebooks every day.”

In addition to student devices, all classrooms are equipped with Activeboard and Activesound technology to support teaching and learning.

“Because our classroom is online, students have access to materials, video and links that I post, and they submit online as well,” Hale says. “This allows for more in-depth learning and instruction. This is also nice for when they have to miss class due to a field trip, etc.”

Timely and Timeless

Despite teaching in an environment supported by today’s technology, Hale’s approach to classroom management remains timeless. “As for classroom management, I try to use the Golden Rule,” she says. “I treat them with kindness and respect, and I expect it in return.”

She says her teaching philosophy centers on the principles of student empowerment. “Every child has different strengths and should be encouraged to explore them,” Hale says. “One day, they will be the ones handed the reigns to our great country. We need to prepare them to be educated decision makers and active citizens.”

Current and Future

As an educator who has used the SGAP program in her classes for several years, Hale believes in the power of engaging students in classroom discussions using current events. She says staying current on the news and current events is a tough but rewarding part of her job.

“It is imperative to always present multiple perspectives and let the kids discuss their ideas and opinions in an educated, controlled environment,” Hale says. “Trying to tie real life into my classroom is very important to me so that the students ‘buy in.’”

In the future, Hale hopes her students leave her classroom knowing that she genuinely cares about them and about the subjects she teaches.

“I had a veteran teacher tell me once, ‘The most important thing a child leaves your classroom with is their ego,’ and it has always stuck in my mind,” she says. “It does not do anyone any good to embarrass students or tear them down.” 

Vital Stats

Name: Erin Le Francois
Title: Department Head, Teacher
School Name: Mammoth High School
City, State: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Subject(s) Taught: American Gov’t, US History, AP US, AP Gov’t/Politics and AP Comparative Politics
Grade(s )Taught: 11/12
No. of Years Teaching: 26

Twenty-six years ago, Erin Le Francois began her career as an educator and—for the past 20 years—she’s used SGAP in her classroom. “A parent mentioned the SGAP program to me, and I signed up,” she says. “In my government classes, we discuss current events every Friday.”

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Today, Le Francois serves as a social studies teacher and department head at a four-year public high school in Mammoth Lakes, California. The mountain resort community is home to Mammoth Mountain, the West Coast’s largest ski area. Situated in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mammoth Lakes is about 164 miles south of Reno, Nevada, and 325 miles north of Los Angeles.

In her classes at Mammoth High School, Le Francois uses SGAP in a variety of ways. “Sometimes we just read the Student Forum newsletter topics and discuss,” she explains. “Sometimes we will use the discussion questions. Recently, we’ve been incorporating further in-depth study online with the resources provided.”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

As an educator with more than two decades of teaching experience, Le Francois has learned to focus on the essentials in her approach to classroom management. “In my classes I have one rule: respect,” Le Francois says. “We build from there. As long as everyone is respectful, we can have open dialogue and trust.”

Respecting others is especially important in today’s polarized political climate. “Government has been interesting to teach these past few years,” Le Francois admits. “I always work to present an unbiased version of things, but for me this has gotten more challenging as I get older.”

The Way We Were

Technology has presented both challenges and opportunities to social studies teachers, Le Francois says. “Social media and media in general are changing so fast that I feel these will influence all teachers,” she adds. “Cell phones are another trend that has impacted teaching. Getting students to interact and discuss topical issues is always challenging.”

Le Francois says what she wants her students to remember most about her class is the importance of asking questions and thinking critically.

“I want students to remember to think before they make a snap judgement, that people are innocent until proven guilty,” she says. “I want them to remember to treat people equally and not rush to judge. Be kind, help others and give back to the community that raised you.”

Name:  Stephanie Cooper
Title: Teacher, Social Studies Department Team Leader
School Name: Boyd High School
City, State: Boyd, TX
Subject(s) Taught: U.S. Government, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and Junior/Senior Seminar
Grade(s) Taught: 10th, 11th and 12th grades
No. of Years Teaching: 10 years
Honors: 2008 James Madison Fellow for the State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Governor’s Commendation; Durant High Teacher of the Year (2005 and 2007); United States Air Force Veteran

In the large state of Texas lies a small town named Boyd, located about 30 miles northwest from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, where Stephanie Cooper teaches social studies classes at the town’s public high school.

Cooper, who also serves as team leader of the social studies department, says her greatest teaching challenge is bringing to light the importance of social studies in an educational climate where schools prioritize the STEM subjects.

“I think the greatest challenge is that emphasis in schools is placed on state-tested subjects such as math, science and English,” Cooper says. “The way our government works is vital knowledge for soon-to-be voting citizens, but I think it takes a back seat to math and science now.”

Why Active Citizenry Matters

Cooper says not placing an importance on teaching U.S. Government has far-reaching effects on the fabric of American society. “The effects I see, and have seen for quite some time, are low participation in voting by young people, not knowing how basic federal, state, and local government works, and no appreciation for how our Constitution came to be,” she says.

As a military veteran of the United States Air Force, Cooper says her experience serving her country has significantly influenced her teaching. “My experience in the U.S. Air Force has caused me to focus on the subject of U.S. Government and to make sure young people know the sacrifices that have come before them,” she says.

Spotlighting Social Studies

To bring to light the importance of social studies, Cooper believes social studies educators must keep finding new ways to educate youth. “Make sure to use opportunities such as Patriot Day, Constitution Day, and Freedom Week to put history and our country in the forefront,” she adds.

Cooper has also seen a rise in students’ interest in active participation as a result of school shootings such as the one in Parkland, Florida. “Young people are beginning to become more involved, largely because of school policies and dangers they now face in schools,” she says. “Students are nearly forced to participate in politics and government because their security and safety are on the line.”

“In fact, their future in general depends on how much they know about their government, and how much they participate,” Cooper continues. “There is a very real opportunity for young people to make their mark and lead in the way in how the United States government runs.”

“My teaching philosophy is to educate all of my students by bringing the outside world into the classroom.”

- Jill Anne Hahn

Name:  Jill Anne Hahn
Title: Coordinator of Randall T. Shepard Leadership and Law Academy; Secondary High School Teacher at Evansville Harrison High School
School Name: Evansville Harrison High School and Randall T. Shepard Leadership and Law Academy
City, State: Evansville, Indiana
Subject(s) Taught: CAP Government, CAP Economics, We The People Constitutional Law course, Economics, Government, International Relations and Current Events
Grade(s) Taught: Seniors
No. of Years Teaching: 29 years
Honors: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Economic Educator Advisory Board; Indiana Council of Social Studies award: Stan Harris Social Studies Citizen Award; Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year Award from the National Guard; Leadership Evansville Professional Education Leadership Nominee; Olin B. Davis Exemplary Teaching of Economics Award; Randall T. Shepard iCivics Outstanding Teacher in Vanderburgh Co.; Indiana Supreme Court Award; Senator Lugar Symposium, Guest speaker on Nuclear Armament, Evansville Courier Press Outstanding Educator Nominee, Indiana Government Teacher of the Year presented by Senator Lugar

As an educator who serves in dual roles – a social studies teacher at a public high school and a program coordinator for a four-year college preparatory school – Jill Anne Hahn is one busy education professional. Her long list of honors and awards is a reflection of her commitment to excellence in education.

Hahn believes Government and Economics are two of the most important subjects that will affect students’ daily lives, now and in the future.

“My teaching philosophy is to educate all of my students by bringing the outside world into the classroom,” Hahn says. “By studying current events, plus international relations, students can actually see how the outside world impacts them."

One way Hahn teaches her students about current events is through the SGAP program. “I love SGAP and have been using it for 20 years,” Hahn says. “I feel that the future of our students looks extremely bright thanks to all the tools we have to teach them such as SGAP.”

Living to Give

Hahn’s philosophy doesn’t only focus on how the external world impacts students, but also how students’ internal landscapes impact the external world.

“I am big on giving of one's self,” Hahn says. “Each student is required to give 10 hours of their semester to service learning, as part of their civic duty as Americans. I'm amazed at how many students come back years later and tell me their volunteer service inspired a career or they continued giving of themselves.”

This reminder to give back is much-needed in today’s fast-paced society. “Students have so many outside distractions in today's world, whether it be too much social media, or issues at home,” Hahn says. “My role has changed over the years from just being a teacher and now also includes being a student advocate.”

Rolling with the Changes

In her 29 years of teaching, Hahn has witnessed many changes in the field of education, including those inspired by technology. A benefit of today’s technology is social media, Hahn says, because it has enabled her to stay in touch with her former students.

“Students remind me of what I taught them and many times we have civic discussion over various matters,” she says. “Often, I remind them that they must continue what I taught them because, after all, they are my legacies.”