2022-2023 Teaching Reflection

I finished my second year as a high school history teacher a few weeks ago - it was a BLAST! This past year I stretched my wings and taught both the Advanced Placement United States History and the standard ("on-level") U.S. History classes. Since there are many different types of students and learning abilities in both sections, I approached each history class a little differently, carefully blending direct instruction with independent learning and small group discussions to ensure each student mastered the content and became passionate about social studies. I was incredibly proud of each of my students, who appeared to sincerely enjoy my lessons and the many individual/group assignments I created for them. Despite the many late nights I had planning activities and the many early morning/late afternoon tutoring sessions I offered, the positives from teaching both U.S. History sections outweighed the negatives - I enjoyed the challenges! My students excelled on the state U.S. History STAAR exam; 99% met expectations while 61% mastered expectations (compared with the 39% state average). Besides state exam results, it appeared from my End-Of-Course evaluations that a majority of my students walked away from my U.S. History classes smiling, having developed skills that they will continue to use for a lifetime and acquired knowledge and personal courage to positively change their community. Additionally, all my students know that they have a teacher who will consistently encourage them to do their best in academics and extra-curriculars and support them in their final months of high school and beyond. Again, I might sound like a broken record... yet I am beyond blessed to have a fantastic job and to be assisted by a network of caring administrators and veteran educators. I am looking forward to another exciting challenge in next years schedule, picking up the IB History of the Americas 1 course! Below I have attached some photographs from the year as well as my  class/teacher reviews.

APUSH 5th Period, 2022-2023 - despite being the early morning class on B-Days, these students were always energetic and engaged in dynamic class discussions on historical myths, presidents, and the Gilded Age! I'm going to miss them. Author's Collections.

Selected End-Of-Course Evaluations

"I feel like all history teachers are fun and are good at explaining history to students, but Mr.Chanin did more than that and he was very interactive with each student, making sure we understood anything. Mr.Chanin is a real one.”

"The way Mr. Chanin taught and was involved with the class in order to get the information to them was really good. His positive energy helped get the class involved with learning and actually wanting to learn. Just keep doing what you’re doing Mr. Chanin, you’re a great teacher :D”

“Yes, Mr. Chanin worded things that helped us understand every perspective and aspect of the lesson we were on. He’s amazing! He’s very lenient and understanding and he genuinely cares about his students futures and even personal health.”

“Yes, Mr. Chanin’s teaching style is the best out of any History teachers. Most History teachers just give you all the slides to write down your own notes. He actually goes through the slides and points out any information to write down.”

"I liked Mr. Chanin’s lectures because of the way he kept the class engaged using humor and having class discussions.”

“I really liked your interactive lectures in class. You really made me love history because unlike most other teachers, you stood up and told us history as an interesting and relevant story, and made us understand its importance. Thank you so much for doing this! Yes! As mentioned above, your lectures and interactive lesson really made me interested in history and made me want to learn more. Keep doing what you’re doing… you’re truly an inspiration to me!”

“My favorite part of the APUSH class was how the class felt welcoming. Although I was intimidated by the difficulty of the class, I felt like I could walk into the class without constant stress/pressure. The classroom environment is lively which also contributes to why I like this class. Not really, I enjoyed this class a bunch even though it was challenging at times! Mr. Chanin made class discussions interesting and captivated my attention. Rather than reading straight off the slideshow, he would make it engaging by asking the class and by telling personal stories.”

“My favorite part of the APUSH class was definitely Mr. Chanin! I don't think that I would have enjoyed this class or looked forward to coming here everyday if I did not have you as my teacher… no not really :D I really enjoyed your interactive lectures and method of explanation and I could not have asked for a better APUSH teacher.”

I am photographed with two of my favorite APUSH students, Shereef and Priyanka. These two worked extremely hard in my class and always knew how to put a bright smile on my face. I was honored to "pin" them at the annual senior pinning ceremony in May (where I was also selected to be a faculty speaker). I'm going to miss their cheeriness! Shereef will be attending the University of Texas at Dallas in the fall, while Priyanka will be attending American University in D.C. I wish them both the best of luck in college! Author's Collections.

I am photographed with my APUSH partner and legendary educator Diane de Waal - she was a fantastic mentor and soundboard to me as I navigated both APUSH and standard U.S. History classes this past year. I am going to miss her next year when she moves to another campus, but I intend to continue to spread some exuberant "de Waal" energy in social studies dept. meetings! Author's Collections.

A Trip To Boston - (2022 Summer)

Before I continue posting my APUSH lesson plans, I would like to talk about/show readers my wonderful experience in Boston in the 2022 summer. My wife, who has a PhD in statistics, was invited to present her research at a conference in Downtown Boston in July 2022. Thus, I had the opportunity to join her and visit some of the preserved sites of the American Revolution. This was a fantastic trip - I learned a lot of history stories that I incorporated in my APUSH lectures and I immersed myself in the New England culture by devouring clam chowder and lobster rolls. I felt at home in Boston, walking the cobbled streets surrounded by old-ish buildings, dodging spells of inclement weather, and chatting to a few passerbys who were intrigued by my accent as much as I was with theirs. In sum, Boston reminded me of my hometown, London, England, and I am extremely glad that I was able to pay the city a visit. I would not hesitate to visit again! Below I have put a bunch of photographs from my Boston trip (in the 2022 summer):

One of our final stops in Boston was the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library/Museum. JFK was a Massachusetts senator prior to his ascent to the presidency. Despite his presidency ending quickly (just over 1000 days, Jan. 1961 - Nov. 1963), JFK is remembered today as a charismatic, level-headed, dutiful leader who steered the nation through some of its most challenging ordeals at the height of the Cold War (Bay of Pigs Invasion, Space Race, and Cuban Missile Crises). The museum was fascinating and I enjoyed reading more about JFK's rise to power, the history of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, as well as his legacy. This was a brilliant finale to an amazing trip to Boston! Author's Collections.

A recreation of the infamous Boston Tea Party vessel, where, on December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dressed in Native American garments boarded an East India Company ship and threw over 1,200 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor. Afterwards, the British government closed the port and put Boston under military rule, further igniting revolutionary sparks. Author's Collections.

The Battle of Bunker Hill Monument. On June 17, 1775, Boston patriots engaged the British Army on Breed's Hill, which is located outside the city. The patriots were led by fiery general William Prescott, who is believed to have cried "Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" Despite the battle culminating in a British victory and a patriot defeat (and escape over neighboring Bunker's Hill), the American militia put up a strong defense and killed/wounded more than a thousand redcoats. Unfortunately, the monument was closed to the public, yet I was able to visit the museum. Author's Collections.

Standing beside one of the 52 gigantic cannon on the USS Constitution (also known as Old Ironsides)- this vessel was launched in 1797 and remains one of the world's oldest operating ships. Constitution played a key role in American naval victories during the First Barbary War (1801-1805) and the War of 1812 (1812-1814). She retired from active service in 1881 after several parade trips around the globe. My wife and I were in awe of Constitution's size and powerful ambience. Author's Collections.

At the start of the African American Freedom Trail is a memorial that is dedicated to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first U.S. Army black regiment. Robert Gould Shaw was the commanding officier. Most of the 54th Regiment was killed during the September 1863 Second Battle of Fort Wagner, and were later memorialized in the 1989 film Glory (a FANTASTIC movie!). Author's Collections.

A statue of John Glover, the Massachusetts sailor who assisted George Washington and the Continental Army escape the British Army at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776. Glover, who I have researched in the past, was later elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Author's Collections.

With William Lloyd Garrison, one of America's prominent abolitionists prior to the Civil War. Garrison founded the widely-read anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator in 1831. After the abolition of slavery in 1865, Garrison was a leading advocate for women's rights. Author's Collections.

I was extremely excited to visit Boston's oldest bookstore (and devour a few antiqued history books), yet extremely disappointed to find out the store had turned into a Chipotle restaurant... sigh, the American fast food industry is taking over. Author's Collections.

I am standing on the location of the Boston Massacre, outside Boston's Old State House. On March 5, 1770, British soldiers under the command of Capt. Thomas Preston fired at a rowdy crowd of Bostonians, killing 5 citizens and injuring many more (it was said that the crowd threw snowballs, ice, and clubs at the redcoats). Crispus Attucks, a black sailor, was among the first to die at the scene. Paul Revere publicized this event as a "massacre," further boiling the blood of the patriot movement in the thirteen colonies. The British soldiers were put on trial, where they were defended by esteemed attorney John Adams. Six soldiers were acquitted and two were found guilty of manslaughter and branded on their hands. This was a powerful moment for me to step in the shadows of those who had been involved in this tragic event (and I was flooded with emotions when I told this story to my APUSH classes). Author's Collections.

Posing with a British Redcoat outside of the Green Dragon Tavern. This dimly-lit facility was a notorious meeting place for Boston's patriots, including Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. Author's Collections.

Paul Revere's house is one of the oldest standing residences in the United States, built c. 1680. Revere, who is famous for his "Boston Massacre" drawing, was a silversmith, printer, and fervent supporter of the Revolutionary War. Revere warned the minutemen at Lexington and Concord during his April 1775 midnight ride. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed walking the cobbled streets outside of this residence, imagining what life was like in eighteenth-century Boston. Author's Collections.

Boston's Old North Church, which was constructed in 1723, was the location where sexton Robert Newman hung two lanterns from the steeple on April 18, 1775, which alerted Paul Revere of the British Army's movements prior to the Battles of Lexington and Concord (the first campaign of the American Revolution, 1775-1783). The Episcopal church is one of the oldest standing churches in the United States. It was fascinating to see the church at dusk! Author's Collections.

A magnificent statue of Benjamin Franklin stands tall above a courtyard that is next to the King's Chapel Burial Ground. Franklin, who is famous for discovering electricity and partaking in the Revolution with other Founding Fathers, was born in Boston in January 1706. Many scholars and historians predict that Franklin would have been a great president for the fledgling United States, however, he was too old after the Constitution had been signed (Franklin died in April 1790). Author's Collections.

The grave of John Winthrop is located in the King's Chapel Burial Ground. Winthrop is considered the founder of Boston, after leading eleven ships and 700 colonists to the New World in 1630. Winthrop was a fair yet strict governor (of 13 years), condemning religious dissent and banishing citizens who opposed allegiance to the Anglican Church, including Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. Winthrop is most famous for his "City upon a Hill" sermon. Author's Collections.

John Hancock, the presiding official during the Declaration of Independence signing and the governor of the Massachusetts Commonwealth at the end of the eighteenth century, is buried in Granary Burying Ground. He has the biggest gravestone and is surrounded by several distinguished Bostonians, including Samuel Adams, James Otis, and Paul Revere. The Granary Burying Ground (which was established in 1660) was subject to grave digging and burial thefts in the nineteenth century. Author's Collections.

Although George Washington was not a Bostonian (he hailed from Virginia), there is an impressive statue of the first president in the Boston Commons Park. Washington paid the city a visit as part of his 10-day tour of New England in October 1789 (soon after he was elected president). The crowds flocked to see the victorious Revolutionary general; people preserved the dishes he ate from, the chairs he sat on, and the beds he slept on. John Hancock, the governor of Massachusetts, was a vain man and insisted that Washington should come to visit him, not the other way around. Eventually, Hancock saw the error in his judgement and belatedly paid his respects to the president (he claimed that an excruciating attack of gout had prevented him from welcoming Washington to the city earlier). In an effort to promote national unity, Washington ignored Hancock's "child-play" and accepted the explanation with grace. Bostonians named "Washington Street" after Gen. George Washington. Author's Collections.

Enjoying the crisp New England air and lush surroundings... the Boston Commons Park is famous for its lakes and swan-boats. Author's Collections.

I snapped a photograph of the Wendell Phillips statue in one of Boston's parks. Phillips was a nineteenth-century abolitionist who many labeled as "the one white American wholly color-blind and free from race prejudice." Boston was home to several distinguished abolitionists (from the anti-slavery movement) prior to the Civil War, including William Lloyd Garrison and Charles Sumner. Author's Collections.

Faneuli Hall, a huge marketplace that houses food vendors and retail shops. This building was designed by Peter Faneuli, one of Boston's wealthiest merchants, in 1742 and became home to city government functions, concerts, and banquets. My wife and I were frequent visitors to "The Cradle of Liberty" as we tasted the best New England grub there! A statue of Samuel Adams, second cousin to John Adams and leader of Boston's Sons of Liberty, stands proudly outside the hall. Author's Collections.

My wife and I preparing to board our plane to Boston, July 2022. Author's Collections.