Thread by @jbf1755

Starting now—a panel with secondary school teachers talking about teaching history during the “History Wars.”

We need to have their backs!

#SHEAR2022

Great line up of secondary school history teachers. Interested to hear their insights on teaching in the here and now.
#SHEAR

H.S. Teaching panel: Not students or parents that cause the biggest problems in history teaching in high schools. It’s outside agitators.

#SHEAR2022

Until this year, LA high school history began at 1877. Bypassed the Civil War and slavery altogether.

Changed this year because teachers pushed back.

The dates were broadened. But still—inquiry based learning not encouraged.

#SHEAR2022

Primary sources are essential in broadening high school history conversations. It’s what was said at the time—so hard to argue with it.
@#SHEAR2022

Q: Are your students caught up in the culture wars?

They’re aware.
They WANT to know what happened in the past. They’re the good part of the job!

#SHEAR2022

Politicians claiming nonsense—like teachers teaching white students to feel guilty—students KNOW that’s not true. They’re in the classroom—unlike politicians.
#SHEAR2022

How can college professors help high school teaching?

Become involved in schools in your area.

Offer your time to public schools. Give a lecture. Offer advice to new history teachers. Give a book talk. Bridge the gap.

#SHEAR2022

How can professors help high school teaching?

Zoom in and spend a class talking to them. Makes students feel like real historians. Some of the best days in the classroom.

#SHEAR2022

How can professors help high school teaching?

Opinion pieces that offer real insight as historians—personal twist—and NOT dumb down content.

#SHEAR2022

After George Floyd’s murder, high school students began seeking out content and insights on their own. We can help them navigate it.

#SHEAR2022

What can we expect as these high school students move on to college?

Students —some are traumatized. Some lost a year.

#SHEAR2022

As a teacher, never forget your “why”—what brought you to the classroom.

#SHEAR2022

Carefully edited primary sources are particularly useful. A 10-page document is hard to teach in high school.

Offer a primary source with useful questions to ask.

#SHEAR2022

Keep inviting secondary schools to history organizations. Let them connect with people and hear their voice. Can make a big difference.

#SHEAR2022

How can professors help high school teachers?

Write public pieces in support of public history.

#SHEAR2022

What topics do you need support for—materials—for high school teaching?

Reconstruction—

#SHEAR2022